Cuban President Fidel Castro talks to reporters Sunday Oct. 19, 1997, in Havana, Cuba during an improvised press conference just after voting in the municipal elections. Castro on Sunday described Cuba as a democratic example for the world, shrugging outside foreign criticism of the island's one-party state as he joined millions of other Cubans in voting for city council candidates.(CP Photo/Jose Goitia) MANDATORY CREDIT: CANADIAN PRESS