Bush mocked by Cuban media

Bush's past gaffes and failings have been pored over

By Tom Gibb in Havana

Cuba's official media have poured scorn on George W Bush's election victory - and have rushed to highlight embarrassing incidents from his past.

As leaders from around the world congratulated the president-elect, Cuban commentators reflected on issues ranging from his poor academic record to his battle with alcohol.

With music worthy of a horror movie, Cuban state television showed pictures of the 150 prisoners whose death warrants Mr Bush signed while governor of Texas.

Official commentators on a special programme about the US election result said that Mr Bush had won through a vote that was fraudulent, full of tricks and contrary to the wishes of the majority of the North American people.

Fidel Castro has not yet commented on the result

What awaits Cuba, one commentator concluded, is the spoiled son of an ex-director of the CIA who supports what he called the Cuban American mafia, which stole him the elections in south Florida.

The school marks of the US president-elect, his former alcoholism and his public gaffes were all discussed in detail.

The treatment is in marked contrast to that given to President Clinton, who is generally portrayed as well-intentioned but too weak to change US policy towards Cuba.

Fidel Castro, who is playing host to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has not yet commented on the result.

President Putin sent a congratulatory message to the US president-elect, saying he looks forward to an intense and constructive debate with him.

But he also signed a joint declaration with President Castro criticising the US embargo against Cuba and US attempts to monopolise international affairs.