Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Cuban government has mobilised citizen defence militias, saying it fears a US attack during Fidel Castro8217;s health crisis, even though the White House insisted no such threat exists.
The island8217;s government, under the control of Castro8217;s brother, Defence Minister Raul Castro, has also asked military reservists to check in daily.
Cubans interviewed on state-run media on Friday said they would fight to the death against any invaders from the north, while the Communist Party daily Granma said, 8216;8216;We Cubans are prepared for the defence8217;8217; of the island.
White House press secretary Tony Snow rejected as 8216;8216;absurd8217;8217; any suggestion that the United States would attack the island. 8216;8216;The US has absolutely no designs on invading Cuba,8217;8217; Snow said in Crawford, Texas, where President Bush was vacationing at his ranch. 8216;8216;Cubans are going to have to chart their destiny. It8217;s the one thing that they8217;ve been deprived during the dictatorship of Fidel Castro.8217;8217;
Condoleezza Rice also made a statement on Friday, imploring Cubans not to flee to Florida. Her message was being transmitted over US government radio and television stations that are beamed to the islands and also on CNN and other major media.
No new details were provided on Castro8217;s condition following his surgery.
