>>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7252109.stm
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>I have a feeling Fidel will be retiring in a more profound way pretty soon. We'll see.
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>I must admit a certain fondness for the old goat. Not for his politics or for what he has done for Cuba, or should I say not done. But you have to give him credit for what he did as a young man, having a belief in principles strong enough to lead a revolution and actually overthrow a government. And for the audacity to withstand a hostile superpower 90 miles from his shores for decades. Like him or loathe him, admire him or not, he has left footprints in the sand.

I think the sanctions and covert operations against Cuba by the US contributed a lot to keeping him in power. And what would Cuba be like now if he hadn't come along. Probably another tinpot latin dictatorship with low standards of living for everyone except a few corrupt businessmen and politicians. At ease under Castro they had universal health care and education.

Nick