July 27 (LPAC)--Cuba's acting Head of State, Gen. Raul Castro reiterated yesterday the Cuban government's willingness "to discuss on equal footing the prolonged dispute with the government of the United States," when the current "erratic" and "fundamentalist" administration is replaced. Gen. Castro made the offer, which he had extended twice before in the last year, during his address to Cuba's big national July 26 celebrations.

"If the new United States authorities were to finally desist from their arrogance and decide to talk in a civilized manner, it would be a welcome change," he said. "The problems of this world, ever more complex and dangerous, can only be solved in this way... The new administration will have to decide whether it will maintain the absurd, illegal and failed policy against Cuba or if it will accept the olive branch that we offered on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the landing of the Granma" (Dec. 2, 2006).

The United States has maintained an economic embargo and tight travel restrictions on this close island neighbor since 1962.