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Castro 'to be fit to hold power' | Castro 'to be fit to hold power' |
(about 21 hours later) | |
Cuba's ailing President Fidel Castro will be "in perfect shape" to run for re-election to parliament next year, the head of the National Assembly said. | Cuba's ailing President Fidel Castro will be "in perfect shape" to run for re-election to parliament next year, the head of the National Assembly said. |
Ricardo Alarcon said Mr Castro was focusing on recovery from surgery and would be fit to do his job. | Ricardo Alarcon said Mr Castro was focusing on recovery from surgery and would be fit to do his job. |
The process of choosing candidates is due to begin in the coming months. | The process of choosing candidates is due to begin in the coming months. |
Correspondents say the vote is the first step for re-election for the Cuban president who is chosen by MPs rather than by the people. | Correspondents say the vote is the first step for re-election for the Cuban president who is chosen by MPs rather than by the people. |
The Cuban leader has not been seen in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July and has temporarily ceded power to his brother Raul. | The Cuban leader has not been seen in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July and has temporarily ceded power to his brother Raul. |
Following a parliamentary session to discuss Cuba's upcoming elections, Mr Alarcon said President Castro was "doing fine and continuing to focus on recovery and rehabilitation". | Following a parliamentary session to discuss Cuba's upcoming elections, Mr Alarcon said President Castro was "doing fine and continuing to focus on recovery and rehabilitation". |
By March 2008, Cuba should be ready to hold elections that are expected to include Fidel Castro, Mr Alarcon said. | By March 2008, Cuba should be ready to hold elections that are expected to include Fidel Castro, Mr Alarcon said. |
'Recuperating physically' | 'Recuperating physically' |
Mr Alarcon said he had been in contact with President Castro many times recently. He said that even though the president ceded power to his brother, he never "abandoned his role". | Mr Alarcon said he had been in contact with President Castro many times recently. He said that even though the president ceded power to his brother, he never "abandoned his role". |
"Fidel has been and is very involved, very connected, very active in all manner of important decisions that this country makes. | "Fidel has been and is very involved, very connected, very active in all manner of important decisions that this country makes. |
"What's happening is, he can't do it the same way he did before because he has to dedicate a good part of his time to recuperating physically," Mr Alarcon said. | "What's happening is, he can't do it the same way he did before because he has to dedicate a good part of his time to recuperating physically," Mr Alarcon said. |
The head of the National Assembly said: "To what extent he will go back to doing things the way he did, the way he is accustomed to, it's up to him." | The head of the National Assembly said: "To what extent he will go back to doing things the way he did, the way he is accustomed to, it's up to him." |
He would not comment on whether Raul Castro would remain in power if his brother regains his fitness to return to work full-time. | He would not comment on whether Raul Castro would remain in power if his brother regains his fitness to return to work full-time. |
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