Castro Absent from Military Parade Marking His 80th Birthday
02 December 2006
Cuban President Fidel Castro has missed a rare military parade held in honor of his 80th birthday, increasing speculation about the state of his health.
Thousands of Cuban soldiers marched down the streets of Havana Saturday in the first military parade in Cuba in a decade. It was a belated tribute to Mr. Castro's birthday in August, as well as to the 50th anniversary of Castro's landing in Cuba to launch a revolution. A replica of Mr. Castro's arrival boat moved down the parade route.
The parade was led by Mr. Castro's younger brother, Raul, who is acting president while his brother recovers from intestinal surgery. Raul Castro told the parade watchers that Cuba is willing to negotiate its differences with the United States as long as the discussion is based on equality, reciprocity, non-interference and mutual respect.
Fidel Castro set Saturday as the date for his five-day birthday celebration, evidently thinking he would be well enough to attend. But earlier this week, he sent a message to supporters to say that he is still too sick to attend the festivities.
At a ceremony in Havana Friday, Vice President Carlos Lage said Cuban socialism will survive beyond Mr. Castro, because of "his work, his ideas and his example."
Details of Mr. Castro's health are a state secret.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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