Fidel Castro is 'very healthy,' lawmakers say after meeting

WASHINGTON — The Castro government is interested in talking to the United States, a delegation of members of Congress said Tuesday after returning from a five-day trip to Cuba where they met with President Raul Castro, and his brother, Fidel, the former president.

However, the group of seven lawmakers, which included six members of the Congressional Black Caucus, said they didn't discuss whether Cuba was prepared to offer any concessions in return.

"We didn't get into any of the details,'' said caucus chairwoman Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., who led the trip. "We just want to see a dialogue. You don't have to offer anything to talk.''

The group spent four hours with Raul Castro, including dinner. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., described Raul as "very engaging'' and said that he "laughed at himself."

Rush said the visitors to Raul Castro's home were greeted by his wife. He lives "not in some magnificent estate, but a modest home."

"He was a down-to-earth kind man, someone who I would favor as a neighbor,'' Rush said.

Three members met separately with Fidel Castro at his home. They described the aging leader, whose health has been the subject of much speculation since he fell ill in 2006, as "very engaging, very energetic . . . very talkative.'' Lee said Fidel Castro appeared "very healthy, very clear thinking.''

The visit marked the first meeting between Raul Castro and U.S. lawmakers since he took over as the country's leader a year ago and the first with the elder Castro since he took ill.
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