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Lawmakers Eager for Cuba Policy Changes Meet with Fidel and Raul Castro

Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with Cuban President Raul Castro and former leader Fidel Castro this week to discuss proposed relaxations in travel and financial restrictions. Calif. Rep. Barbara Lee, just back from Havana, talks about the conversations.

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  • JUDY WOODRUFF:

    Ray Suarez has our Cuba story. There's talk of the Obama administration relaxing travel rules, and some in Congress want to go further.

    Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus met yesterday in Havana with Fidel Castro. Ray talked earlier with one of them, Representative Barbara Lee, Democrat of California.

  • RAY SUAREZ:

    You are among a very small group of American elected officials who've had a chance to talk to Fidel Castro since he gave up office, since he's been sick. Tell us about that encounter and what kind of shape you found the former leader in.

    REP. BARBARA LEE (D), California: Well, I tell you, he's had many health care challenges, but he was in very good shape. We met him at his house with his wife, Mrs. Castro. They do have five children. She greeted us at the gate.

    He was standing at the front door, and we walked through the gardens and greeted them. He was standing up, and he walked back, and sat down, and we talked.

    He was very engaging. His memory was as good as my memory, as your memory. He's 82 years old.

    He talked about a variety of issues. He asked a lot of questions. You know, we were there during the 41st anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We placed a wreath and had a memorial service at a memorial in Havana honoring Dr. King.