Castro lectures Jamaicans on capitalism

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- (AP) -- They came for what was billed as a dialogue, and instead received a lecture typical of Cuban President Fidel Castro: Capitalism is failing and its demise will lead to a more just society.

``We have no doubt the present world order is going to go into a crisis,'' Castro told an audience of several hundred Jamaicans. ``And after, there will have to be a new world -- a different world with a new culture -- because we know that culture cannot be the culture of the consumer society.''

Castro said the 1994 Mexico currency crisis, the Asian financial crisis, economic turmoil in Russia and Japan's stagnant economy are examples of how capitalism has failed.

Earlier, Castro stood in meditation at the graveside of former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley.

Manley's embrace of socialism nearly bankrupted the Jamaican economy in the 1970s. When the conservative Edward Seaga came to power, he cut off relations with Cuba.

There appeared to be few memories of those times, however, during Castro's three-day stay in Jamaica, the first stop on a three-nation tour.

Outside the cemetery, a few dozen people gathered, carrying homemade signs welcoming Castro.

``Love that man! Love that man!'' said one of the demonstrators, Elaine Green. ``The times are changing -- when is the United States going to change?''

Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson welcomed Castro as ``one of the great leaders of the 20th Century.'' Seaga met Castro for the first time Thursday and declared an end to their animosity.

Later Friday, Castro left for Barbados, where he will honor the 73 victims of the 1976 bombing of a Cuban jetliner. On Sunday, he is scheduled to visit Grenada.

All are countries that once shunned Castro but are now leading a campaign to soften the U.S. position on Cuba, a reflection of a general bitterness about U.S. economic policy in the region.

Castro has made himself a champion of the economically vulnerable Caribbean. He says U.S. policies have caused factories to leave the area, cost thousands of jobs and threatened the region's limited trade.