President Bush says Cubans "on the island" should decide what kind of government and future they want before Cuban exiles in the United States take up any grievances on confiscated property.
Speaking at his ranch in Crawford, Texas Monday, Mr. Bush said he really does not know about the state of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's health. He said the Cuban people ought to decide if there is a transformation from what he called a tyrannical situation to a different type of society. After that occurs, he said Cuban Americans could address the issue of property confiscated by Mr. Castro's Communist government. There is a large community of Cuban exiles in Miami and other parts of South Florida.
Cuban officials and allies of President Castro say the 79-year-old leader is doing well after undergoing surgery last Monday to stop intestinal bleeding.
Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage said in Bolivia Sunday that Mr. Castro will recover within a few weeks and return to his duties.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close ally of Mr. Castro, said Sunday the Cuban leader was able to get out of bed and hold conversations.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday Washington encourages democratic change in Cuba, but would not stir up a political crisis while Mr. Castro remains ill.Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
