MEXICO CITY Cuban President Fidel Castro Friday humbly apologized to Mexican children for having said they knew Mickey Mouse better than national heroes of their own country . The 30-minute brotherly address to the Mexican people read by visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina, followed tensions between the two countries that emerged after Castro blasted what he called the cultural invasion of Mexico. I myself learned the value of spinach with popeye, said Castro in an unusual apology for his December 2 remarks, in which he deplored what he said was Mexican children's better knowledge of Disney characters than of their own national figures.

I myself watched Tarzan movies and the numerous films in which Mexicans are gardeners, submissive and compliant he conceded in the statement Robaina read to journalists. Castro said that if after his december 2 address, any Mexican feels offended, I have no objections to presenting my apologies and if any child feels offended, I humbly ask for forgiveness. (AFP)