HispanicBusiness

Cuban leader Raul Castro said on Thursday that his government was ready to dialog with the United States "equal to equal," a rare offer to resume communication with the longtime political foe.

Speaking at an event in eastern Guantanamo to mark the 59th anniversary of the launch of the Cuban Revolution, Castro said " the day they (the United States) want to discuss everything related to Cuba, the table will be ready."

"We can discuss human rights or any other topic, but equal to equal: concerning Cuba and concerning the United States," Castro added.

Castro made the remarks at the National Rebellion Day ceremony after a speech by Cuban Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura.

"We are a peaceful island, we like to dance, be friendly, but we are a little rebellious, so if they (the United States) want a confrontation with us, let it be on the baseball field," said Castro.

The 81-year-old leader, who was dressed in military attire, noted: "Here we are, always with the cavalry at the ready, just in case."

Each July 26, Cuba remembers the attack in 1953 by Revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and 100 of his followers on the Moncada barracks in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba. While the attack failed and most of the rebels died, the event is regarded the beginning of the revolutionary struggle to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista, which succeeded on Jan. 1, 1959.

Two years later, the United States broke off diplomatic relations with the island and its communist government, and decreed an economic and trade blockade that is still in force today.