Fidel Castro fails to attend Cuba anniversary rally

3 December 2006
Cuba
Fidel Castro fails to attend Cuba anniversary rally

It was Cuba's first military parade in a decade - and it was all in
honour of Fidel Castro. But the ailing President was nowhere to be seen,
raising fresh questions about whether he will ever be able to return to
running the country. Placed in temporary charge, his brother was there,
as were other Latin American leaders and a huge crowd. They heard Raul
Castro blast the United States for, among other things, its decades-long
trade embargo and general hosility towards Cuba.

But, significantly, he also stated a willingness to talk to Washington
to resolve the long-standing dispute between the two countries. The
belated 80th birthday celebrations for the President also marked 50
years exactly since Fidel Castro and fellow rebels landed by boat in
Cuba to start their revolution.

With its ageing armaments on display, Havana hopes to show the world -
and especially the US - that it is still a force to be reckoned with,
despite uncertainty surrounding the veteran Cuban leader.

Since having emergency intestinal surgery in July, Fidel Castro has only
been seen in photographs and videos. US officials have said they believe
he is suffering from inoperable cancer.

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