By ANNE-MARIE GARCIA
Associated Press

HAVANA -- Fidel Castro suggested the United States doesn't want to play Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, which is awaiting word on whether the U.S. government will let the island's players take part.

``We aren't afraid of anything,'' Castro said in a wide-ranging speech late Tuesday. ``It's very difficult to compete against us in any area ... not even in baseball do they want to compete with Cuba.''

Castro's comments appeared to refer to the inaugural World Classic, a 16-team tournament scheduled for March 3-20 and organized by Major League Baseball and its players' union.

The U.S. Treasury Department last month denied MLB's application for Cuba to play its scheduled first-round games in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. Later rounds are to be played on the U.S. mainland.

The license is required under 45-year-old American sanctions against Cuba aimed at preventing Castro's government from receiving U.S. currency.

After Cuba promised to donate any money it received to victims of Hurricane Katrina, MLB reapplied for a license a second time and is awaiting a response.

Tuesday was the deadline for teams to submit preliminary player lists. Each team initially will present a list of 60 names that will be reduced to 30.

The International Baseball Federation has said it will not sanction the tournament if Cuba isn't allowed to play.

MLB senior vice president Paul Archey and union lawyer Doyle Pryor visited the island last week to review plans with Cuban officials in case the second license application is approved.