Respecting Castro's Cuba

Madam, - Tony Allwright (January 2nd) refers to Fidel Castro among a group of what he describes as "thuggish dictators".

Madam, - Tony Allwright (January 2nd) refers to Fidel Castro among a group of what he describes as "thuggish dictators".

He is misinformed. Fidel Castro was last returned to parliament as an ordinary member by a majority of those who voted in his constituency on April 19th, 2003. He was subsequently elected to cabinet by a majority of the public representatives returned to parliament and thence elected as head of state.

Perhaps Mr Allwright would consider extending to the people of Cuba the same respect he asks for the people of Ireland to choose the laws that govern them? - Yours, etc,

S.P. MAC AONGHUSA, St Joseph's Cottages, Dublin 7.