MEXICO CITY. Aug 7: President Fidel Castro and his top aides gave a spirited defence of socialism to a conference of international supporters, while lashing out at their old foe the United States, reports AP.

The Cuban leader has presided over market-style economic reforms meant to stave off economic crisis on the socialist Island, but the minister of economy and planning. Jose Luis Rodriguez. told the some 1.000 delegates that some monetary measures might be reversed.

Rodriguez said policies such as permitting free circulation of foreign currency in Cuba are not permanent.