(7 Aug 2006)
1. Wide shot of press conference at Cuba's International Press Centre
2. Mid shot of journalists
3. Wide of conference
4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Roberto Fernandez Retamar, President of "Casa de las Americas":
"(referring to Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage and Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer comments to Fidel Castro's health) I believe what would be a reasonable reading of the facts that Fidel has not worsened, otherwise they (Lage and Balaguer), as responsible as they are in their duties and any other new duties they may have, wouldn't make such comment. It is evident that that is what the world is reading. So, there it is, if Lage is in Bolivia and Balaguer is in Guatemala, Fidel must not be bad, it is a reasonable reading of the facts, isn't it?"
5. Wide of press conference
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Roberto Fernandez Retamar, President of "Casa de las Americas":
"Now, the official policy of the United States administration was that if Fidel was not leading Cuba this country would be taken over by chaos, so Fidel is not leading Cuba and chaos has not taken over. They (the US) figured that it was not possible to have a peaceful succession in Cuba, well a peaceful succession has taken place in Cuba and Raul would address the country when he would see pertinent to do so."
7. Wide of press conference
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Andres Gomes, Cuban Magazine Editor:
"Transition in Cuba exists, and this change in the government's command, though temporary, at this moment, shows already, the strength of the national institutions, and that changes will be made according to the Cuban constitution and laws."
9. Wide Morro Castle and Malecon early morning
10. Fishermen on Malecon early morning
11. Couple walking on Malecon
12. Morning traffic on Malecon
13. Close up sign "Viva Fidel, 80 More"
14. People buying flowers in Old Havana
15. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Leonor Junco, Havana Resident:
"What change? What kind of changes? The change is Raul; He's the one who'll be around while Fidel is in bed."
16. Medium policeman walking in Old Havana street
17. Medium shot old woman with cigar and flowers and police in background
18. Medium police
19. Medium security guards
20. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lazaro Gonzalez, Havana Resident:
"I'm worried about Fidel's illness. I want him to get passed that illness and he will. He's a strong person and he'll recover. That's my worry. The rest is going to work perfectly well."
21. Medium people in Old Havana street
22. Wide street with traffic
23. Zoom out from Christ statue across Havana Harbour to traffic on Malecon
STORYLINE:
As Cuban government ministers continue to make optimistic noises about Fidel Castro's improving health, an official Cuban organisation has spoken of a succession of political power from Fidel to his brother Raul Castro, as already having taken place, confounding some US predictions of chaos on the island.
President of the Havana based organisation "Casa de las Americas," Roberto Fernandez Retamar said on Monday "...the official policy of the United States administration was that if Fidel was not leading Cuba this country would be taken over by chaos; so Fidel is not leading Cuba and chaos has not taken over. They (the US) figured that it was not possible to have a peaceful succession in Cuba, well a peaceful succession has taken place in Cuba and Raul would (will) address the country when he would see(s) pertinent to do so."
However questions will continue to be raised around the globe, as to whether this handover of power is purely a temporary arrangement, or the start of something more permanent.
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