'He can criticize all he wants,' president says as trip OK sought

Associated Press

HAVANA – Speaking publicly for the first time about his invitation to former President Jimmy Carter to visit this Caribbean island, Cuban President Fidel Castro
said he wouldn't mind hearing criticism from his guest.

"We only want him to see the country," Mr. Castro said in a wide-ranging address that began late Wednesday after a nationally televised ceremony celebrating his
government's victory over dengue fever. "He can criticize all he wants."

Mr. Carter has confirmed that he wants to visit Cuba and is waiting for the green light from President Bush. No date for the tentative visit has been announced.

Mr. Carter said last week that he expects the Bush administration's "tacit approval, not their blessing."

News of the proposed visit comes as the gap widens between the White House's hard-line policies toward Cuba and increasing moves in Congress to ease U.S.
trade sanctions and restrictions on travel to the Communist country.

Mr. Carter has spoken out for increasing trade and Americans' visits to Cuba, saying they would spread understanding of the advantages of freedom.

Mr. Castro's invitation stemmed from the Carter Center's "Americas Program," an effort to bring together leaders of the Cuban-American exile community and the
Castro government, a spokeswoman for Mr. Carter has said.

Mr. Carter would be the first U.S. president – in or out of office – to visit the island since the 1959 revolution, when Mr. Castro came to power.