Posted on 09/07/2006 6:48:36 AM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
HAVANA - Cuban President Fidel Castro, who is recovering from intestinal surgery, met for two hours with his Bolivian colleague Evo Morales in this capital.
The meeting was held in an "environment of extraordinary friendship", said an official note read by "Mesa Redonda" television program host Randy Alonso while images were being shown of the Andean leader arriving at the island's José Martí Airport.
Morales, a political ally of Cuba and personal friend of the bearded Cuban leader, was received at the foot of his airplane's stairs by Army general and provisional President Raúl Castro and other high-level leaders.
The images briefly showed Morales unboarding the airplane, wearing a white shirt and [receiving] warm embraces from the island's delegation.
In an unusual gesture, and for the first time in 47 years, Castro left power in his brother's hands on July 31.
"Since the first moments of the Commander-in-Chief's illness, Evo had expressed his wish to visit him, and he could make his purpose a reality today," the host commented.
No images of the two leaders together were shown.
According to the note, matters discussed during the meeting included Cuban medical assistance to Bolivia, where over 1,600 island doctors are working and 1.4 million patients were attended, with some 2,000 lives saved, the official message read. In addition, the Andean nation's literacy program, for which Cuba contributed the teaching method, was reviewed.
The Constitutional Assembly that is being formed in Bolivia was also brought up, but the text offered no details of what positions were expressed.
"It is Fidel's opinion that Evo is an exceptional leader," the note read.
The text reads that, upon giving his sick counterpart a wooden sculpture, Morales confirmed that he will return to Havana next week to attend the 14th Non-Aligned Nations Summit, a forum where he will meet with his other ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
Afterwards, the Bolivian leader had lunch with the provisional President, Vice-President Carlos Lage, and Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque. He later met with scores of young people from his country who are studying in the island.
According to the report, Morales returned to his country at 6:48 PM local time.
Why won't that guy die?!?!?!
I hate to say it, but something is rotten in Havana! Between Castro, Chavez & now Morales getting cozy with one another it looks to me that they are forming an alliance of some sort. But why? Iran? Oil?
No need for the tin foil hat folks....there IS something going on.
"...there IS something going on"
See:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1691074/posts
Thanks! I missed this one, I just had a gut feeling!
Oh, for chrissakes Fidel! Just hurry the f$%k up and die already!
With the United States distracted by Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, and the overall struggle against terrorism, the Castro-Chávez-Morales axis has found a golden opportunity to strengthen itself and seek allies elsewhere in Latin America. It would not suprise me if these leaders take advantage of the political unrest in Mexico and flirt with leftist sore-loser López Obrador. That is something the United States should watch carefully.
Agreed. We're too used to having peaceful borders; we've been spoiled. I think it would be easy to be caught off guard.
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