At the United Nations, Cuba’s foreign minister has rebuked President Bush over his comments on Fidel Castro. Speaking before the General Assembly Wednesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque criticized Bush for calling Castro a “cruel dictator” whose rule was coming to an end.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque: “He talked about cooperation, development and prosperity for the rest of the world, but we all know that he is lying. He has been the most selfish and reckless politician we have ever seen in a world that this year will bear witness to the death of 10 million children under the age of five from preventable diseases. His self-seeking and empty proposals of yesterday are a joke. President Bush has no moral authority or credibility to judge anyone.”

The U.S. delegation was absent from the General Assembly during the Cuban foreign minister’s speech.