Paraguay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 24, 2002

Canada Addresses a Meeting of the Insecurity Council of the United Indignations

Fidel Castro on Monday offered the world a chance to eavesdrop on a falsely cordial exchange between heads of state and the behind-the-scenes choreography of a summit meeting. Upset at Mexico’s support of a U.N. condemnation of Cuba’s human rights record last week, Mr. Castro released a tape of a phone call he received from Mexico’s president, Vicente Fox, before last month’s U.N. aid conference in Monterrey. Mr. Fox was outwitted by Cuba’s wily 75-year-old dictator. Contrary to his claims that he had not pressured Mr. Castro to leave the meeting early, Mr. Fox is caught on tape asking ”as a friend” that Mr. Castro do just that. After Mr. Castro agreed to leave early and asked what else he could do for his Mexican ”friend,” Mr. Fox requested that the Cuban leader refrain from criticizing the United States and President Bush. Mr. Castro was incensed. Mr. Fox’s call was akin to a dinner party host reaching out beforehand to an ill-mannered guest. (The New York Times)