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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Obama toughens stance on Cuba

Obama toughens stance on Cuba
2 hours ago

Democratic front-runner Barack Obama sought to toughen his position on
meeting with such US foes as Cuba's Raul Castro, outlining his
conditions in a delicate pitch aimed at winning over an important voting
bloc in the November presidential elections.

Mr Obama's speech to the Cuban American National Foundation - a foray
into delicate political waters - sought to counter stepped up criticism
from rival John McCain.

Mr Obama, with an insurmountable lead over rival Hillary Clinton, is
increasingly appearing as the man who will challenge Mr McCain for the
White House. Mr Obama has picked up five more delegates, including one
who switched allegiance from Mrs Clinton.

With an almost 200-delegate lead over the former first lady, Mr Obama is
just 61 delegates short of the 2,026 needed to clinch the nomination.

Mr McCain, also took on a politically sensitive subject, releasing
medical records aimed at easing concern that at age 71, he is too old to
be president.

The records showed that the three-time melanoma survivor appears
cancer-free, has a strong heart, and is in general good health.

Mr Obama's speech to the Cuban group came three days after Mr McCain
ridiculed him in Florida for saying he would meet with Mr Castro.

Mr Obama had said in a debate last year that he would meet without
preconditions with the leaders of Cuba, Iran and Venezuela - all US
adversaries.

The first-term Illinois senator, who is seeking to become the US's first
black president, said Mr McCain has been "going around the country
talking about how much I want to meet with Raul Castro as if I'm looking
for a social gathering. That's never what I've said and John McCain
knows it".

Mr Obama said he would meet with Mr Castro only at a time and place of
his choosing and when there is "an opportunity to advance the interests
of the United States and to advance the cause of freedom for the Cuban
people".

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5icsuAxORrPIotyhVM0jpNp1ibnBQ

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