Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Tuesday rejected the conditions placed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a possible "open dialogue" between Washington and Havana.

In an article entitled "The Clapping and the Silence," published by Cuban media on Tuesday, Castro described Clinton's announcement on the possible resumption of bilateral talks on migration and direct mail service as "rude and far from being diplomatic."

Clinton said in El Salvador while attending a meeting of the Organization of American States that Washington would have an "open dialogue" (with Cuba) as soon as there were "changes of human rights and movements towards democracy" in the Caribbean country.

Castro said he wondered whether it was necessary for the United States to throw the "humiliating" threat.

"What are the democracy and the human rights that the United States defends?" Castro asked.

The former Cuban leader said when Salvadorian President Mauricio Funes announced during his inauguration ceremony that his country will restore ties with Cuba, there was "a deafening clapping and shout of joy."

But when the United States mentioned it, very few people clapped, he said.

In certain circumstances, people expressed their views not only by words, but also by claps and silence, Castro said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2009)