Castro leads masses in march supporting Cuban socialism

HAVANA -- Defying calls here and in Washington for democratic reforms, Fidel Castro led a march of hundreds of thousands of people Wednesday to ratify as "untouchable" the one-party socialist system that has ruled this Caribbean island for four decades.

Surrounded by security men and other top communist officials, the Cuban leader, who celebrates his 76th birthday in August, started out with a slow, but firm step down the Malecon coastal boulevard. He walked for about a mile, about the distance he usually does in such events, before leaving the march.

Wearing his traditional olive green uniform and cap and the black high-top athletic style shoes he now favors, Castro waved a small red, white and blue Cuban flag as the sea of people marched toward the U.S. Interests Section, the American mission.

"Long live socialism! Down with the lies!" Castro shouted -- referring to President Bush's May 20 Cuba policy speeches, in which Bush promised not to lift American trade and travel restrictions until Cuba holds competitive elections and undertakes other democratic reforms.

Castro's younger brother and designated successor, 71-year-old Defense Minister Raul Castro, headed a contingent of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces in the Havana march.