Bush speech on Latin America--defense of a failed policy

The American president chose a reliably sympathetic audience for what amounted to his swan song on Latin American policy: the Council of the Americas, a front for US corporations that describes itself as a business organization whose members share a common commitment to free trade and open markets throughout the Americas.

Bush began by announcing that he had spoken the day before to three of the US-backed dissidents whose operations in Cuba are paid for and coordinated with Washington. He described the discussion, organized via a videoconference organized from the US Interests Section in Havana, as an inspiring moment for me.

The main thrust of his remarks wasin the wake of Fidel Castros stepping down as Cubas presidentto categorically rule out any loosening of the economic embargo that the US has exercised against the island nation for nearly half a century and that has been significantly tightened under Bushs own administration.

He dismissed a set of so-called reforms announced recently by Fidel Castros successorhis brother Raulas meaningless gestures