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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US politicians meet 'fit' Castro | US politicians meet 'fit' Castro |
| (1 day later) | |
| Members of the US Congress have held a rare meeting with the Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, describing him as very engaging and energetic. | Members of the US Congress have held a rare meeting with the Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, describing him as very engaging and energetic. |
| The event was his first known meeting with US officials since he underwent emergency intestinal surgery in 2006. | The event was his first known meeting with US officials since he underwent emergency intestinal surgery in 2006. |
| Mr Castro has not been seen in public since he was taken ill, and ceded power to his brother Raul last year. | Mr Castro has not been seen in public since he was taken ill, and ceded power to his brother Raul last year. |
| Analysts say the meeting indicates an increased willingness on the part of Cuba and the US to resolve tensions. | Analysts say the meeting indicates an increased willingness on the part of Cuba and the US to resolve tensions. |
| The three members of the Congressional Black Caucus said the 82-year-old revolutionary leader asked how Cuba could help President Barack Obama normalise relations between the two countries. | The three members of the Congressional Black Caucus said the 82-year-old revolutionary leader asked how Cuba could help President Barack Obama normalise relations between the two countries. |
| "Of course, he has been ill," said the delegation's leader, Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "But I think we will agree that he was very healthy, very energetic, very clear thinking." | "Of course, he has been ill," said the delegation's leader, Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "But I think we will agree that he was very healthy, very energetic, very clear thinking." |
| Congresswoman Laura Richardson added: "He looked directly into our eyes, quite aware of what was happening, and said to us 'How can we help President Obama?'" | Congresswoman Laura Richardson added: "He looked directly into our eyes, quite aware of what was happening, and said to us 'How can we help President Obama?'" |
| Changing times | Changing times |
| A seven-strong team of congressional Democrats is currently in Cuba, looking into ways to improve US-Cuban relations, but only three of them attended the meeting with Mr Castro. | A seven-strong team of congressional Democrats is currently in Cuba, looking into ways to improve US-Cuban relations, but only three of them attended the meeting with Mr Castro. |
| The delegation met Raul Castro on Monday. | The delegation met Raul Castro on Monday. |
| The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says the visit is a sign of the changing times in Washington and in Havana. | The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says the visit is a sign of the changing times in Washington and in Havana. |
| President Obama is expected to announce soon that he is easing restrictions imposed in 2004 by George W Bush on travel and remittances for Cuban-Americans. | President Obama is expected to announce soon that he is easing restrictions imposed in 2004 by George W Bush on travel and remittances for Cuban-Americans. |
| Last week, a bill was introduced to Congress which would allow unrestricted travel to Cuba for all Americans. | Last week, a bill was introduced to Congress which would allow unrestricted travel to Cuba for all Americans. |
| Meanwhile, in an article published on Sunday, Fidel Castro said his country was not afraid to talk to the US. | Meanwhile, in an article published on Sunday, Fidel Castro said his country was not afraid to talk to the US. |
| But no-one is yet expecting the lifting of America's 50-year-old trade embargo on Cuba, our correspondent adds. | But no-one is yet expecting the lifting of America's 50-year-old trade embargo on Cuba, our correspondent adds. |
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