Cuba says no rush on reform, Fidel appears again

[Judi Lynn]

Cuba says no rush on reform, Fidel appears again
Yesterday, 05:21 am

Cuba said it would not rush into reforms for its troubled economy, while former leader Fidel Castro made his latest public appearance in ceremonies on Monday marking the anniversary of the start of the Cuban revolution.

Cuban television showed Castro, 83, at a sombre ceremony in Havana's Revolution Square, then in a lengthy meeting with Cuban intellectuals and artists where he answered questions about a variety of topics for more than an hour.

It was the latest in a string of appearances by Castro who has recently emerged from four years of seclusion that followed emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006.

In the last two appearances, he has donned a military shirt, which has raised eyebrows because he wore a military uniform for most of his 49 years in power.

But the main event was in the central city of Santa Clara, where Vice President Juan Ramon Machado Ventura spoke to 90,000 people, while President Raul Castro looked on.

In a response to those pushing for faster change on the communist-led island, he said the government would move deliberately and stay loyal to revolutionary ideals.

"We will proceed with a sense of responsibility, step by step, at the rhythm we determine, without improvisation or haste so as not to make mistakes," said the veteran of the revolution and longtime Castro loyalist.

More:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20100727/tpl-uk-cuba-castro-d1a0d5d.html

http://cache.daylife.com.nyud.net:8090/imageserve/04G2gxN5LGaeq/340x.jpg

Getty Images 29 months ago
HAVANA - FEBRUARY 24: Cuba's acting President Raul
Castro is seen with Juan Almeida Bosque, Jose Ramon
Machado Ventura, Carlos Lage, and Jose Ramon Balaguer,
all members of the State Council, during a meeting of
the National Assembly February 24, 2008 at the
Convention Palace in Havana, Cuba. Cuba's National
Assembly is due to select a new head of state to
replace President Fidel Castro, 81-years-old, who is
stepping down after nearly half a century in charge.

[flamingdem]

1. FYI, The photo is out of date, Lage was removed and Juan Almeid Bosque died nt