BOLIVIA/FILE: Bolivian President Evo Morales says ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro will meet with other Latin American leaders at end of April

Record ID: 725932

  • Title: BOLIVIA/FILE: Bolivian President Evo Morales says ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro will meet with other Latin American leaders at end of April
  • Date: 20th March 2007
  • Summary: (W5) COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA (MARCH 17, 2007) (ATB) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT EVO MORALES, SAYING: "The commander and President Fidel has decided to attend the ALBA ceremony for the third anniversary of the ALBA in Cuba. I want, think and hope that I am not mistaken and that without a doubt companion Fidel will return to the presidency of Cuba on the 28th or 29th of April - to continue supporting health and education throughout the world my companions."
  • Embargoed: 4th April 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations,People
  • Reuters ID: LVAEJC8OFM8MBPRZB9UPMYEUJCQK
  • Story Text: Bolivia's President Evo Morales says that ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro will meet with other Latin American leaders at the end of April in what could be his first public appearance since falling ill.
    Bolivian President Evo Morales claims that Fidel Castro will return to the Cuban presidency next month, in time for the third anniversary of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) that joins together Cuba, Bolivia and Venezuela in a regional alliance.
    "The commander and president Fidel has decided to attend the ALBA ceremony for the third anniversary of the ALBA in Cuba. I want, think and hope that I am not mistaken and that without a doubt companion Fidel will return to the presidency of Cuba on the 28th or 29th of April - to continue supporting health and education throughout the world my companions," Morales said in Cochabamba on Saturday (March 17).
    However Morales did not explain how he knew of Castro's planned return.
    Last October, the Bolivian president declared that Castro, who ceded power to his brother Raul last July 31 after he underwent intestinal surgery, would be back in his job in "two or three weeks."
    A spokesman for the president later clarified the comments, saying Morales had only expressed that he had "a lot of confidence" that Castro would attend functions for the ALBA anniversary.
    ALBA is a regional cooperation agreement orchestrated by Venezuela to counter the U.S.-backed Free Trade Area of the Americas.
    Morales says this year, three more Latin American leaders will also attend the talks. However he did not confirm whom these leaders might be.
    "Now there will not only be three presidents, but I calculate that there will be at least a minimum of six Latin American presidents, to push ahead politics by the people for the people, fair trade and integration is another task that needs to be developed," Morales said.
    Cuba and Venezuela first signed the ALBA pact together in 2005, and then Morales joined on in 2006.
    The agreement has helped Cuba emerge from the economic crisis that followed the demise of the Soviet Union, its former benefactor. Meantime Bolivia receives zero-tariffs on all its products exported to its two partners.
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