Fidel Castro calls Obama Nobel positive measure

HAVANA — Count Fidel Castro among those in favor of the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s controversial choice of U.S. President Barack Obama for the Nobel Peace prize.

The former Cuban leader said Saturday that he thought the choice was a “positive step,” though he added it was more a repudiation of Obama’s predecessors than a recognition of anything concrete Obama has done.

“Many believe that he still has not earned the right to receive such a distinction,” Castro wrote in a column published in state media. “But we would like to see, more than a prize for the U.S. president, a criticism of the genocidal policies that have been followed by more than a few presidents of that country.”

The Cuban revolutionary said he was often at odds with the choices of the Nobel committee, “but I must admit that in this case, in my opinion, it was a positive step.”

Many criticized the choice, saying Obama has done little in less than a year in office and doesn’t deserve such a prestigious prize, often given to people after a lifetime of work. Republicans have said the award was a reflection of the president’s star power more than his effectiveness, and even some liberal Democrats said a peace prize should not have been given to a wartime president.

Castro, long a staunch enemy of Washington, has made a regular habit of praising Obama, a stark turnaround from Cuba’s feelings toward predecessor George W. Bush, who took a hard line on Cuba.

Castro has lauded Obama’s call to action on climate change and said he is a smart and sincere man — though he has castigated Obama for leaving in place America’s 47-year trade embargo on the island.

Castro, 83, who handed over power to his brother Raul in February 2008, has continued to release frequent essays on current events, which are published in state media under the title “Reflections of Comrade Fidel.”