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Politics

Crist girds for change in Cuba

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published December 18, 2006

TAMPA - Gov.-elect Charlie Crist said Sunday that Florida will be prepared for the aftermath when Cuban dictator Fidel Castro dies.

"It's an important thing to an awful lot of people who live in our state," Crist said, before making his way to an inauguration kickoff barbecue at Legends Field. "The best scenario is to be as prepared as possible."

Crist offered no specifics on Florida's response to Castro's death, but he said the state's Division of Emergency Management has been in contact with officials in Miami-Dade, where the state's largest Cuban population lives, to discuss what could take place.

Some expect a possible mass exodus from Cuba at the announcement of Castro's death. South Florida officials have said they're prepared to act by land, air and sea if that happens, shutting down airports and closing marinas if the need arises.

The looming question is when Castro will die. Despite widespread speculation that he was near death, the Associated Press reported Sunday that Cuban officials told visiting U.S. lawmakers that Castro does not have cancer or a terminal illness.

Castro also telephoned a meeting of provincial legislative leaders Friday, the Communist Party daily newspaper, Granma, reported.

Castro's calls Friday constituted the first news in 11 days about the convalescing 80-year-old, who has not been seen in public in more than four months.

Meanwhile, 10 visiting U.S. members of Congress met with Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque and other communist officials, two weeks after acting leader Raul Castro offered to hold a dialogue with U.S. officials on equal terms.

Bush administration officials have twice rejected offers to talk with Cuban leaders since Fidel Castro fell ill, saying the country must first hold free and competitive elections and release all political prisoners.

Crist said Sunday that he did not expect drastic reaction in Florida when Castro dies.

"From a practical point of view, I don't know how much change would come right away," he said, noting Raul Castro's seemingly smooth takeover of the government reins during his brother's illness.

No matter what happens and when, Crist urged Florida residents to "be patient."

Florida's future is key

Crist touched on Cuba while being questioned by reporters, but the reason he went to Legends Field on Sunday was to celebrate his own leadership.

"We won!" he told a cheering crowd of supporters gathered beneath a canopy at the stadium that included his parents, two sisters and former Florida Attorney General Jim Smith.

Earlier this month, Crist called off plans for a big-money inaugural celebration after public criticism about the cost and donations from deep-pocketed special interests. The Republican governor-elect ended solicitation of donations from special interests of as much as $500,000 to attend an inauguration ball.

Instead, he's taking a more populist approach.

"This is part of a celebration of the people of Florida," Crist said Sunday.

"I think it's entirely appropriate that the people's governor, Charlie Crist, take the celebration to the people," said Lt. Gov.-elect Jeff Kottkamp, who joined Crist.

Before greeting supporters, Crist spent nearly an hour with 38 foster children from Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Lake and Sumter counties, who came to Tampa for a Yankees Youth Baseball Camp. The children, ages 7 to 13, played catch and hit the ball with University of South Florida baseball players. The surprise was also getting to spend time with Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon and retired first baseman Tino Martinez, who attended the University of Tampa.

The baseball greats signed autographs and told the children that reading is important.

Rodriguez said he keeps seven or eight books near his bed that he's always reading and encouraged the children to do the same.

"It's a great way to keep your mind sharp," he told them.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 18, 2006, 00:43:10]