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Castro Denounces Tin Embargo Clinton Involvement Questioned |
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(Havana, Cuba) - Thousands of protesters gathered in a town square Thursday, rallying in support of their leader's opposition to a tin plate embargo led by the United States and supported by the United Nations. Fidel Castro riled the crowd with an impassioned speech, denouncing the attempt to deprive Cuba of metal packaging, particularly the United States' role in bringing about international support for the action. |
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Castro speaks at a rally in Havana |
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| "My people, shall we simply sit quietly while the Americans cut us off from the stylish packaging that we so rightly deserve?" asked Castro, in his native Spanish. "No, comrades, we shall fight this attempt to limit us to plastic mint boxes to the end!" |
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| The Cuban uprising was in response to last week's UN resolution, largely spearheaded by President Clinton. Under the tentative agreement, no UN nations will supply Cuba with industrial tin plate. |
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At a press conference late Thursday, President Clinton expressed nothing but determination to uphold the embargo. "As much as it pains me to deprive the Cuban citizens of the tins that we have all come to know and love, we must send a strong message to Castro that the oppression of his regime will simply not be tolerated in a civilized world society." |
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Senator Mortimer Gruff (R - Georgia), a longtime critic of the President's plan, made a statement on Capitol Hill implying that Clinton may have had ulterior motives in pursuing the embargo. "We all know that Cuba's incredible demand for tin plate combined with the recent increase in worldwide demand has given some American companies supply problems... some more so than others, and I think you know who I'm talking about." |
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It is suspected that Gruff was referring to Tastee Treets, who became famous in September when Clinton called their Choco-busters his "favorite snack." Tastee recently reverted to cardboard packaging in light of the shortage. |
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Clinton vehemently denies any impropriety in his handling of the Cuban Tin Embargo
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When questioned about the legitimacy of his involvement in the tin embargo, Clinton stated forcefully, "I did not have improper relations with that company... Tastee Treets." |
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