HAVANA (AP) --- Fidel Castro wished President Clinton luck today in overcoming problems linked to allegations he had an affair with a White House intern, blaming Sen. Jesse Helms for fomenting the scandal.

"I think the actions of (Clinton's) adversaries are really dirty,'' Castro said. "It's a real example of the things that occur in that country, of the lack of ethics.''

A grand jury in Washington is reviewing allegations that Clinton had sex with former intern Monica Lewinsky and then engaged in a coverup. Clinton has denied having sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky.

The Cuban leader accused right-wing U.S. politicians led by Helms, R-N.C., a longtime Castro foe, of waging a campaign against Clinton with the charges.

"I sincerely hope that he can overcome'' the problems, Castro said. His comments came during a four-hour talk last night and today on Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba last month.

An editorial in the Communist Party daily Granma last week took a similar line and criticized the fact that such charges would be used to try to bring down a president.

Details of Castro's personal life are almost never mentioned in the Cuban media.