ElMondoHummus,

Fidel, alongside the US and USSR, supported my countries bid for independence. They were opposed by Australia, UK and New Zealand who did not want to let our natural resources come under our own control.

Fidel, alongside the People's Republic of China, supplied our nation with doctors whilst Australia made pariahs of us by pressuring us into a deal which would have us collaborate in the disenfranchisement of thousands of refugees.

All indications are that the tyranny in the developing world is not coming from Cuba; but from those who oppose her.

Sorry,

Xavier

P.S. For those who like to quote UNHCR, check which government on the Cuban island is most heavily criticised for its human rights violations, namely in relation to the illegal depravation of liberty and denial of equal access to the law.

Xavier,

You are deflecting the argument. What happens in Guantanamo has nothing to do with the lack of democracy in Cuba. Cuba is a strong state with full control of its internal affairs. It could allow freedom of speech, defend human rights for EVERY citizen, and allow free elections if it chose to do so. It does not.

Take a look at the simple questions I posed in my previous post. I've posted them in a few places. No defenders of Fidel can answer them. Instead they give statements of moral relativity, such as you just did. As far as those HR organizations go, their criticisms still exist for Cuba. They aren't nullified because worse violators can be pointed out. In that Case, Guantanamo can be excused because China exists, right?

FM.

What a load of selective crap. The US may be a perfect example of an imperfect democracy but to allege cuba is a democratic country and then use selective evidence to back up the claim is ludicrous. Anyone with even a passing association with intelligence wouldn't use that article for toilet paper.

American People educate yourselves about the reality of Cuba...Don't believe everything you see on CNN or CBS is all leftis Crap. The American Media is the Mecca of propaganda for the Cuban Regime.

http://cubaspeaks.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately the trend continues. Every time I pose these simple questions I get no reasonable response. I know the questions can't really be answered, but it would be nice if journalists tried. Sad state of journalism when the author chooses off-topic comments to defend his article, but not the relevant ones. Can't say I didn't take the debate serious, though.

I just wonder how Australia would look after an attempted invasion by a superpower then 50 years of crippling sanctions. If you think of the basic freedoms our present Government have eroded through the hyping of internal and external threats just imagine what we would be left with having such a threat literally over the horizon.

We use to be a nation who admired the underdog, that might make Tim a true Aussie of old. I think I'm happy to join him.