Castro misses revolution commemorations
Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery in July
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Saturday, 02, Dec 2006 07:41
Cuban president Fidel Castro has missed an immense military spectacle held in belated honour of his 80th birthday and marking the 50th anniversary of his guerrilla campaign upon the Caribbean island's then government.
Mr Castro turned 80 in August, but celebrations were put back in the hope that he would be well enough to attend following intestinal surgery in July.
But with his acting president brother Raul, five years his junior, leading today's ceremonies through Havana, fresh questions will be raised over the president's health.
Two months ago Fidel Castro appeared on Cuban state television to allay fears that he had died, with the official government line being that rumours of ill health were nothing more than subversive propaganda.
Raul Castro used today's event to pay tribute to his brother and his achievements, as well as raising the possibility of a resumption of diplomatic relations with enduring foe the US.
"We take this opportunity to once again state that we are willing to resolve at the negotiating table the longstanding dispute between the US and Cuba, as long as the said resolution is based on the principle of equality, reciprocity, non-interference and mutual respect," he said before adding "long live Fidel, long live a free Cuba".
Soviet-era tanks and missile launches were on parade in the capital today, as well as a replica of the Granma, the yacht that Fidel Castro used to return to Cuba from Mexico half a century ago to the day.