A Castro Sighting

This time it is Raul in the news.

An Italian golf resort executive has reportedly confirmed that interim Cuban leader Raúl Castro visited his links last month. But a Cuban official said he highly doubted the report.

Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper started the story when it reported Thursday morning that Castro landed at the Argentario Golf Resort on Italy's central coast in the first week of August by helicopter, accompanied by four bodyguards.

He flew over the course, lingering over at least 10 holes.

''Later, the copter landed at the 11th hole, on a hill overlooking Lake Orbetello,'' the paper said, citing no sources for its report.

``The lightning visit lasted only one hour.''

The newspaper said the visit came during a trip to Italy to visit some of his grandchildren. Castro's daughter, Mariela, is married to an Italian photographer.

Corriere della Sera reported that Castro makes annual secret visits to Italy.

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The Corriere della Sera report included quotes from Castro, but it was unclear how they were obtained.

' `This is a charming place,' Raúl Castro exclaimed. And turning to the owners, he spoke in praise: 'You have done wonders. This is astounding. The greens have been designed in an extraordinary manner.' ''

Castro's visit, if true, would be highly unusual, in part because his brother Fidel Castro has been convalescing since he underwent emergency surgery for intestinal bleeding last year.

Sure Raul, overflew a Italian golf course and even stopped there for an hour. That's after he and Hugo Chavez met in a Miami airport restroom while at the same time brother Fidel was scaling Mt. Kanchenjunga in the Himilayas.

They all sound pretty credible to me. What do you think?

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