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President Bush harshly criticized Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Thursday for being open to meetings with U.S. adversaries without preconditions, saying it would send the wrong message to foreign dictators and dissidents in those countries. “It’ll give great status to those who have suppressed human rights and human dignity,” Bush said during a news conference. Bush singled out Raul Castro, who this week succeeded his brother Fidel as leader of Cuba. “He’s nothing more than the extension of what his brother did, which was to ruin an island and imprison people because of their beliefs,” Bush said.“And the idea of embracing a leader who has done this without any attempt on his part to, you know, release prisoners and free their society would be counterproductive and send the wrong signal,” Bush said. Pressed by a reporter on whether the word “embrace” was too strong in describing those calling for talks with leaders of countries such as Cuba, Bush said, “Well, talking is embracing. “Excuse me. Let me use another, you know, another word. You’re right. Embrace is like a big hug, right?” Last summer, Obama said he would be willing to meet with the leaders of Iran and Syria without preconditions during a Democratic debate, a position criticized by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), his main rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. Obama more recently added Raul Castro to that list. “I just remind people that the decisions of the U.S. president to have discussions with certain international figures can be extremely counterproductive,” said Bush, who added that it could send chilling signals to U.S. allies and discourage reformers. The Obama campaign could not be reached for comment.
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