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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Castro absent from Cuba assembly | Castro absent from Cuba assembly |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Cuba's National Assembly has opened its end-of-year session without President Fidel Castro, who was taken ill nearly six months ago. | Cuba's National Assembly has opened its end-of-year session without President Fidel Castro, who was taken ill nearly six months ago. |
| It is only the second time in the past 30 years that he has not attended and his usual chair was left empty. | It is only the second time in the past 30 years that he has not attended and his usual chair was left empty. |
| The veteran leader handed over control to his brother Raul in July, before undergoing urgent intestinal surgery. | |
| Fidel Castro has not been seen in public since then but photographs and TV images of him have been shown. | |
| The Cuban leader is not expected to make an appearance during the meeting, although a telephone call or message is possible. | The Cuban leader is not expected to make an appearance during the meeting, although a telephone call or message is possible. |
| The session began with lawmakers singing the national anthem behind the closed doors of the Havana convention centre. | |
| Missed parade | |
| A minute's silence was observed for a member of parliament who had died. | |
| During a speech, Cuban Economics Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez addressed the absent Fidel Castro. | |
| "Keep following the new paths of combat for the good of your people," Mr Rodriguez said. | |
| "We will be ready to carry out your orders and guarantee your work with the faith in victory that you have always instilled in us." | |
| It is the latest in a series of national events that Mr Castro has missed since falling ill. | |
| Last month, he was not present at a major military parade marking the 50th anniversary of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces and the delayed celebration of his mid-August birthday. | |
| In a speech earlier this week, Raul Castro, 75, did not mention his brother's health. | |
| But he said Cuba's communist system would continue with or without Fidel, whom he called "irreplaceable". | |
| State secret | |
| Correspondents say Raul Castro's stated intention to delegate more widely and encourage more public debate may signal a shift towards more openness. | |
| Cuban officials have repeatedly denied that Fidel Castro is suffering from cancer and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has denied that his ally's illness is terminal. | |
| Correspondents say that an increasing number of Cubans believe that, whatever Fidel Castro's health might be, he seems unlikely to return to power. | Correspondents say that an increasing number of Cubans believe that, whatever Fidel Castro's health might be, he seems unlikely to return to power. |
| Cubans were told that details of the ailment would be kept secret to prevent Cuba's enemies from taking advantage of them. | Cubans were told that details of the ailment would be kept secret to prevent Cuba's enemies from taking advantage of them. |