HAVANA, August 2 (RIA Novosti) - Cuban President Raul Castro said that Cuba's communist system remained non-negotiable and that he would not 'restore capitalism' in Cuba.
In response to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments linking dialog with Cuba to democratic reforms in the country, Castro told the Cuban National Assembly on Saturday that he was willing to discuss all issues, except the country's political and social system.
"I have to say, with all due respect, in response to Mrs Clinton, but also to the European Union... I was not chosen as president to restore capitalism to Cuba or to renounce the revolution," Castro said.
"I was elected to defend, maintain and continue to perfect socialism. Not to destroy it," he said.
The Cuban leader, who succeeded his ailing brother Fidel Castro as president three years ago, welcomed the U.S. recent decision to lift some travel restrictions but said the U.S. embargo on Cuba still remained in force.
The United States imposed an economic, trade and financial embargo against Cuba in 1962, three years after the Cuban Revolution that saw the downfall of Washington-backed dictator General Fulgencio Batista. The Cuban government estimates that the blockade has resulted in financial losses of around $86 billion.
