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Fidel Castro Makes a Return Visit to the National Aquarium in Cuba

Fidel makes a return visit to the National Aquarium

THIS Monday, 45 days following his last visit, Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro returned to the National Aquarium together with U.S. journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, who writes for The Atlantic Monthly magazine; academic expert Julia Sweig, an associate of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations (CFR); and Adela Dworin, president of the Hebrew Community of Cuba.

Fidel had invited them to watch the fabulous underwater dolphin performance in the aquarium, after he granted an interview on Sunday to the U.S. journalist, an expert on Middle East issues and particularly on Israel.

The directorate of this scientific and recreational facility welcomed the visitors and explained details of their work, the exquisite care given to the animals, the characteristics of dolphins, the use of female animals in the shows because they are more disciplined, the methods used to determine the age of the dolphins, the communication established with them via caresses, and other scientific themes of interest.

Fidel and his guests enjoyed the show, which has been constantly renewed since it began more than five years ago, and then congratulated the young dolphin trainers who perform underwater choreography together with these beautiful marine mammals. The U.S. guests admired the quality of the presentation and described it as a unique experience.

During the visit to the Aquarium there was also a moment for Fidel and his guests to discuss international news. The leader of the Revolution’s visit to Cuban Hebrew Community on December 20, 1998 was recalled; there were references to the interview Fidel gave to the Mexican daily La Jornada (published today); and comments on the launch of his book La victoria estratégica in Venezuela, and its upcoming launch in Bolivia by Comandante Guillermo García Frías.

At the end of the meeting, the Comandante en Jefe presented the visitors with autographed copies of his book, souvenir pictures of the Aquarium visit and photos of the interview the day before. Fidel also gave Jeffrey Goldberg, who likes baseball and coaches a little league team on which his son plays, a Cuban baseball team cap and a baseball signed by members of the national team and stars like Omar Linares, Germán Mesa and Orestes Kindelán.

Translated by Granma International

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