Castro hands power to brother during surgery

mimo2005 · 07-31-2006, 11:39 PM

Castro hands power to brother during surgery

Monday, July 31, 2006; Posted: 9:42 p.m. EDT (01:42 GMT)

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro was undergoing intestinal surgery and provisionally handed over power in the Communist island nation to his brother Raul, according to a statement read on Cuban television Monday night.

Castro will turn 80 on August 13; he is about five years older than Raul, who has been publicly named as his brother's successor as president.

Fidel Castro, Cuba's leader since 1959, joked last week that he had no plans to still hold power when he turns 100, Reuters reported.

Castro's surgery came just weeks after a U.S. government report called for the United States to have assistance in Cuba within weeks of Castro's death to support a transitional government and help move the country toward democracy.

He is reported to be in serious to grave condition.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americ...tro/index.html

07-31-2006, 11:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
mimo2005 Manager, Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11,142 OS: xp	Castro hands power to brother during surgery Castro hands power to brother during surgery Monday, July 31, 2006; Posted: 9:42 p.m. EDT (01:42 GMT) HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro was undergoing intestinal surgery and provisionally handed over power in the Communist island nation to his brother Raul, according to a statement read on Cuban television Monday night. Castro will turn 80 on August 13; he is about five years older than Raul, who has been publicly named as his brother's successor as president. Fidel Castro, Cuba's leader since 1959, joked last week that he had no plans to still hold power when he turns 100, Reuters reported. Castro's surgery came just weeks after a U.S. government report called for the United States to have assistance in Cuba within weeks of Castro's death to support a transitional government and help move the country toward democracy. He is reported to be in serious to grave condition. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americ...tro/index.html __________________ TSF has outgrown its server, again. Please help "Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo"