Castro says Raul is fit to succeed

WASHINGTON, JUNE 29. The Cuban President, Mr. Fidel castro, shrugged off a fainting spell as nothing serious in an interview aired and said his brother Raul was well placed to succeed him if something did happen.

``If instead of fainting it had been a heart attack, or a stroke, which is not very likely,'' the Communist leader told the NBC television network in the Interview taped in Havana on Wednesday.

``Not for the time being, because my blood pressure is between 70 and 110, which is very normal,'' Mr. Castro, who will turn 75 in August, said in Spanish.

The bearded leader said he may have passed out for 15 seconds on Saturday when, he fell against the lectern during a speech at a Communist Party rally and was whisked off the stage by bodyguards and aides.

``I did not realise what was happening. Perhaps I was sweating too much. I was really drenched in sweat. All of a sudden I don't remember what happened. I did realise I was being carried away,'' he said.

``It was like going to sleep. Like falling asleep, like sometimes when you are watching the TV,'' he added.

In the clearest indication to date that his brother is his chosen political heir, Mr. Castro referred to Raul when asked if he planned on having a younger generation carry on his legacy.

``Raul is very healthy. Undoubtedly, he is the comrade who has the most authority after me, and has the most experience,'' he said. ``Therefore I think he has the capacity to succeed me.''

- Reuters

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