The U.S. broke off relations with Cuba in 1961, in protest against the nationalization of U.S.-owned industries in Cuba following the 1959 Revolution.
"With Obama, talks could happen anywhere he wants," the former Cuban president, America's longtime Cold War enemy, wrote in an article published on Thursday on one of Cuba's official news sites, Granma.
Raul Castro, Fidel's younger brother who became the country's leader in February, has already said several times that his government is ready to sit down at the negotiating table with the U.S. to overcome differences. However, Fidel had not until now commented on the issue.
Castro said Cuba does not expect the new U.S. leadership to continue the "war and violence" of the Bush administration. He continued with advice to Obama that "he should remember that the carrot-and-stick approach will not work with our country."
"Imperialism should understand that our country may be turned to dust, but the sovereign rights of the Cuban people are not negotiable."
He wrote that during the U.S. presidential campaign Obama showed himself to be the most able candidate, but that he did not believe Obama would win, due to "widespread racism" in the U.S.
Castro said he doubted Obama will be able to transform U.S. foreign policy. "It would be extremely naive to suggest that the good intentions of a principled individual could wipe out centuries of selfishness and pursuance of self-interest."
He voiced regret over Obama's choice of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, and his decision to keep Robert Gates on as defense secretary. He recalled that when Bill Clinton was president, he signed laws that tightened U.S. embargoes on Cuba, which Hillary supported once she became senator.
Fidel Castro, 82, has not appeared in public since an operation in July 2006. He officially resigned as the president in February 2008.
Fidel's location in Cuba is kept secret, and no information has been given on his state of health. Cuban media often publishes Castro's essays and articles.
