Arias Wishes For A Peaceful and Democratic Cuba
President Oscar Arias Sánchez, wished Cuba a "peaceful" transition of power in the hands of Cubans and with no intervention by foreigners.

The president made the statement from his home in Rohrmoser at a lunch attended by Spain's former president, Felipe González, who is in Costa Rica, accompanied by his wife Carmen Romero, on their way from Panama.

Arias told the press that he did not know that Fidel Casto was ill or "if has gone to heaven. What I wish is that will occur in peace and that country (Cuba) evolves into a democracy, where the people can enjoy liberty that is enjoyed by the greater majority of human beings".

The President added that the meeting with the former Spanish president was totally informal and that González had been vacationing in the Dominican Republic and Panama to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the former Panamanian president, Omar Torrijos, election.

Felipe González, who is a good friend of Castro, that the wish of many is that Cuba move towards democracy, peace and independent progress without interferences. "I received the news while in Panama on the health of Fidel and that is was not serious", said González.

The former president added that it was important to note that there was a trial transfer of powers without Fidel, albeit the transfer is only temporary. Former president González made the statement to point out of what a permanent transfer of power in Cuba would be like in the future.