France angered over Castro remark

PARIS, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- French officials are angry former Cuban leader Fidel Castro used "racial holocaust" in a reference to its deportation of Roma gypsies.

"The use of Holocaust by Mr. Castro demonstrates his ignorance of history and disdain towards its victims," French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in a BBC report Saturday.

Castro, 84, allegedly said the migrants were "victims of another kind of racial holocaust" while in Havana promoting the second volume of his autobiography, the report said.

France has deported more than 1,000 Roma, saying they are violating its immigration laws.

"That Fidel Castro shows an interest in human rights is truly revolutionary," Valero said.

Leaders of many European countries have criticized Frances' Roma deportation policies.