US official: Castro fighting major health problems

THE prolonged disappearance of Fidel Castro from public view indicates that the Cuban president is confronting “serious” health problems, a senior US State Department official said yesterday.

Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon, briefing reporters, also said he believes that Castro’s attempt to turn over power to his brother Raul is doomed to fail.

“The transfer won’t work,” Mr Shannon said.

“Ultimately, there is no political figure inside of Cuba who matches Fidel Castro.”

He added that the key to Cuba becoming a “reliable partner” in the international community is democracy.

The comments by Mr Shannon, and those of State Department Cuba transition co-ordinator Caleb McCarry, were the most extensive by the US since Mr Castro, citing ill health, temporarily transferred power to Raul, the defence minister, on July 31.

Shannon seemed to brush aside Cuba’s stated policy of reinstating Mr Castro to full powers once he recovers.

He said Cuba may be at a point of “regime hardening” in an effort to ensure that the planned succession to Raul is not derailed.