Castro attacks Mexican 'liars'

The former allies' relations have reached a new low

By Daniel Schweimler BBC Correspondent in Havana

The president of Cuba, Fidel Castro, has launched a blistering attack on his country's former ally, Mexico.

In a two-hour speech he accused the country's leadership of being hypocrites and liars, illustrating his tirade by playing a taped private telephone conversation between himself and his Mexican counterpart, Vicente Fox.

This surprise, at the last minute, creates many problems for me

President Fox to President Castro

Cuba is accusing Mexico of bowing to pressure from the United States and forcing Mr Castro to leave early from last month's UN development conference in Monterrey so he would not meet President Bush.

Cuba's state-run newspaper, Granma, announced on Monday on its front page that President Castro was going to make a very important speech.

As the day wore on, speculation mounted about exactly what issue he would be addressing.

Then, at the appointed hour, in his customary military uniform, Fidel Castro live on national television and radio, gave vent to his rage against Cuba's former friend and major trading partner.

Much of Mr Castro's anger was directed at the Mexican foreign minister, Jorge Castaneda.

But Mr Fox also came under attack for his country's treatment of Mr Castro at last month's Monterrey summit.

Castro cautioned

After making a fiery speech condemning exploitation of developing countries, Mr Castro stormed out of the Monterrey conference and went home, saying he would explain later.

Castro said he would resign if the tape was not the words of Mr Fox

The confidential conversation which the Cuban leader has now played reveals that the Mexican leader was trying to convince Mr Castro to leave the conference early.

"This surprise, at the last minute, creates many problems for me," Mr Fox says on hearing of Mr Castro's intention to attend the summit.

The Mexican leader clearly urges Mr Castro to leave the meeting early and asks him "not to attack the United States or President Bush".

The Cubans say the Mexicans wanted to make sure Mr Castro would not bump into President Bush, who was due to arrive later that day.

Mexican officials have since denied the accusation or that they were under pressure from the United States.

The Cuban leader said he felt obliged to play the tape. If they were not the words of the Mexican president, he said, he would resign.

Mexico was the only country in the region to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba after President Castro came to power more than 40 years ago.

But relations have now reached a new low - and are only likely to get worse.