Fidel works charm on PM

Arindam Sen Gupta / TNN / Sep 19, 2006, 01:08 IST

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Fiesty Fidel has bowled over Manmohan Singh. The ailing revolutionary icon found time for the Indian Prime Minister late on Sunday evening.

ON BOARD PM'S AIRCRAFT: Fiesty Fidel has bowled over Manmohan Singh. The ailing revolutionary icon found time for the Indian Prime Minister late on Sunday evening.
And not only for a handshake but for a full 40-minute discussion on a host of subjects — from Indo-Pak relations to India's energy problems. And PM found him all there.
He said: "He was weak but he was sitting and for 40 minutes, was engaged in a very intense discussion.At the end of it, he said had the NAM meeting been held two days later, he would have presided over it."
And what did they talk about? "We covered a whole range of issues, including the future of the international financial system, the future role of NAM, India's development story, population and food problems. I felt I was in the presence of one of the greatest men of our times."

Singh said he had gone to only greet the leader, "but he engaged me in an intense discussion asking questions on India's economic problems, our food and energy situations and how to conserve energy. He also talked about what Cuba has done to promote human development and education."
Asked if Fidel launched into an attack on the US, his pet hate, Singh said: "We didn't go into any condemnation. He, however, did say that the world's financial system is faced with many uncertainties with countries like the US absorbing the bulk of the world's savings."
At the end, the leader stood up to pose for a photo with Singh, who recalled him saying, "I want a billion people to see we are together." Fidel has always been a charmer. Even in his sick bed, he remains one.

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