PORLAMAR, Venezuela (AP) - Fending off calls for political change, Cuban President Fidel Castro told a Latin American summit Saturday that his Caribbean island would steadfastly pursue its communist course.
"In Cuba there was, there is and there will be a revolution based on principles that are not for sale,'' Castro told leaders from Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
The 21 heads of state meeting in the annual Ibero-American summit were also focusing on trade, drug trafficking and free press issues.
Both President Carlos Menem of Argentina and Nicaragua's President Arnoldo Aleman used their opening statements to urge Cuba to open its doors to democracy.
"The real democracy is one of freedom ... citizens do not have to dodge surveillance,'' Menem said. "I do not want any prisoners of conscience, especially not in Ibero America.''
Aleman dismissed frequent claims by Castro that Cuba has its own brand of democracy. "A real democracy requires free, periodic elections, freedom of opinion, and freedom for citizens to move around.''
Castro appeared unmoved as he took the podium after Aleman, suggesting others should change: "A complete change is the most democratic and revolutionary thing that should occur in the world today.''
But the leaders meeting in this tourist city on the tropical island of Margarita, 20 miles off Venezuela's northeastern coast, also had some good news for Castro.
They signed a joint declaration reiterating a "firm condemnation'' of the Helms-Burton Act, a U.S. law that seeks to punish nations doing business with Cuba.
The statement called on President Clinton to consider revising the legislation.
Also during the two-day summit, which concludes Sunday, the heads of state are expected to debate a Venezuelan proposal requiring the media to provide "truthful information.''
However, several countries have indicated opposition, saying some governments may try to use such a declaration to set standards that could place limitation on news organizations.
The Venezuelan proposal has also been criticized by the Interamerican Press Association, which wants to know who would set the guidelines for "truthful " information.
The leaders are also expected to consider a proposal by Bolivian President Hugo Banzer for an international agency to oversee anti-drug efforts.
Currently, the United States certifies anti-drug efforts by other countries, then uses that certification to determine how much money to give those nations to help in their drug fight.
AP-NY-11-08-97 1548EST