Castro to finally retire

[seshme]

I know there is plenty of untrue propaganda about Cuba like huge massacres etc. which is why I never quoted it. You can see my sources and I have friends who have given me first hand accounts of Cuba.

As far as Costa Rica goes the quickest look on google comes up with



which suggests to me that they are free to voice alternative opinions to their government unlike Cubans.

The embargo is totally wrong which I posted a while back but if Castro wasn't a dictator in a totalitarian regime then it would have been politically impossible for the US to maintain it.

You're both sticking me in a box which is nothing to do with what I have posted because it's uncomfortable to look at the huge dark side of the romantic ideal presented of Cuba which most people grow out of when taking down the Che posters in their student flats.

[faceless]

So you're mature then? That's us told.

[luke]

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet meets with Fidel Castro

i think he's looking healthier here

[faceless]

Cuba's Fidel Castro makes rare state TV appearance
13 July 2010

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has appeared on state television for the first time in 11 months. The 83-year-old looked alert as he spoke at length on international affairs on Mesa Redonda (Round Table), although his voice was weak at times. Mr Castro warned the United States not to launch an attack against Iran.

At the weekend, images emerged of Mr Castro in public for the first time since July 2006 when he underwent major surgery and retired from public life. His failing health forced him to hand over power to his younger brother Raul, 79. Wearing a chequered shirt and a blue zip-up sports jacket, Cuba's revolutionary leader sat behind a desk in a sparsely decorated office at an undisclosed location and took questions from a presenter.

It was not immediately clear if the hour-long broadcast was live, but the Associated Press news agency reports that he referred to an article from 5 July as having been published six days ago, which would imply that the show was recorded on Sunday. The BBC's Michael Voss in Havana says his voice was at times was weak and hoarse, but the message was vintage Fidel, delivering an attack on the US this time over its policies on North Korea and Iran.

"Instead of taking practical steps towards the reduction of the chilling threat of the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Iran or any other part of the world, the United States is moving towards the control of the vital oil-producing regions of the Middle East - with violent means should other means fail," he said.

Our correspondent says Mr Castro's sudden return to the limelight may be designed to send a message that he remains part of the decision-making process. He mains head of Cuba's Communist Party and continues to make his influence felt through regular newspaper editorials. However, apart from occasional photographs of him meeting visiting international leaders, appearances on television are extremely rare.

Even more unusual was the unprecedented appearance last week, with photographs of him talking to workers at a scientific centre in Havana appearing in Monday's newspapers, our correspondent adds. He was smiling and looked slightly stooped but relatively healthy. Mr Castro's re-appearance also followed the dramatic announcement last week that the government had agreed to free 52 political prisoners.

The first of the group of dissidents are due to leave overnight on two scheduled flights to the Spanish capital, Madrid.

----------------------

Hopefully a subtitled video will appear soon.

[luke]

Fidel Castro delivers 50th anniversary address
Huge crowd in Havana greets shorter than usual speech by Cuba's former president who appears in rude health

It was just like old times, only briefer. Fidel Castro, back in his olive green fatigues, blasted US imperialism to a huge throng under a Havana sun.

The crowd of about 20,000, packed in front of the presidential palace and surrounding streets, chanted "Fidel! Fidel!" and "Wherever you lead, Fidel!"

It could have been 1960, or 1970, or any time over the half century when Cuba's leader gave marathon speeches that tested the endurance of even his most ardent supporters.

Castro's appearance yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of a speech he gave from the same spot in 1960, announcing the creation of Cuba's neighbourhood vigilance system, the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution. This time, however, the address lasted a mere 74 minutes, a fleeting soundbite compared to the epic discourses of Castro's prolix heyday.

"We haven't even been here two hours," the 84-year-old grinned soon after an hour had passed. "But I'm leaving now. It's getting hot."

Even so, it was his longest and probably most vigorous speech since an intestinal illness forced him to cede power four years ago, marking another step on his return to public life. US officials briefed that Castro was at death's door in 2006 must wonder if the man is eternal.

In keeping with his recent custom Castro avoided commenting on sensitive topics, such as the island's economic shakeup, to avoid stepping on the toes of his successor and brother, Raúl. The closest he came was a reference to "errors committed in every revolution" which caused falls in productivity.

The communist revolutionary spent much of the address quoting his former speeches and joking about his age. "I really envy the youth I see in these guys," he said, gesturing to younger members of the crowd.

He wore spectacles to read scripted remarks before improvising for the rest of the address. Castro warned of an apocalyptic future of nuclear war and environmental destruction driven by capitalism and the US.

The event opened with a snippet of video from the original address half a century ago. Castro smiled as he watched a younger version of himself gesturing and jabbing his finger. "What a privilege it is for me to come back here to meet with all of you 50 years later," he said.

video at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/29/fidel-castro-50th-anniversary-speech

if anyone sees a transcript of the speech post it up