Cuban Commentary Castro Blasts U.S. Presidential Race The Associated Press P I N A R D E L R I O, Cuba, Aug. 5 - Cuban President Fidel Castro today called George W. Bush and Al Gore the most "boring and insipid" presidential candidates the United States could possibly have. He says both are "lacking in historical weight" and "solid principles." Castro spoke to about 200,000 people in a tobacco-growing province in western Cuba, in the latest of a series of events marking the 47th anniversary of the start of the Cuban revolution. Castro blasted a Republican plank that sets tough conditions for the easing of sanctions against Cuba. He also criticized Bush's promises to increase U.S. military spending and create a missile defense system. Castro predicted that if Bush reaches the White House, he'll become the tenth American president to fail to change Cuba's political system. The Cuban leader focused mostly on Bush and the GOP, but didn't spare Gore either. Havana has recently stepped up its campaign against the U.S. embargo against the Communist nation. Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. --------------------------------------------------------------------<e|-
