January 26, 2006	Thursday	Zilhaj 25, 1426

HAVANA, Jan 25: Cuban President Fidel Castro has offered free eye operations to impoverished Americans and asked the US government to let them travel to the island for treatment. Mr Castro made the offer during a three-hour appearance on state television as he slammed US policies toward his communist country.

Because travel to Cuba by most Americans is prohibited under US sanctions, Mr Castro asked US authorities to give Americans official permission to travel to Cuba for the operations.

“We’re ready to send an aeroplane to Florida to pick them up,” Mr Castro said.

Amid worsening Cuba-US relations, American approval to let its citizens travel here for free medical treatment by the communist government appeared unlikely.

Cuba teamed up with Venezuela in recent months for a free eye surgery programme that brings impoverished people from around the region to the island for free treatment. —AP