Reps. Flake, Delahunt Seek to Meet Raul Castro

"Leading advocates of easing sanctions against Cuba in Congress will fly to Havana Friday to assess the situation since ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro ceded power to his brother Raul in July.

The largest Congressional delegation to visit Communist-run Cuba has asked to meet with acting president Raul Castro, who two weeks ago said he was open to talks with Washington.

The Bush administration, which opposes a 'dynastic succession' from one Castro brother to the other, has rejected talks in the absence of democratic reform to Cuba's one-party state.

Cuba watchers said a meeting between the legislators and Raul Castro could mark a turning point in a hostile relationship that dates back to the start of the Cold War.

The three-day visit by 10 Republican and Democratic representatives comes amid heightened speculation that Fidel Castro, 80 and in power since 1959, is close to death." More details...