He allowed Jimmy Carter, a former American president, to meet dissidents and speak freely on television during his visit to the island last month.

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Chavez, who has shown his strength after past surgeries by calling in to speak on state television, uncharacteristically has not been heard from or seen.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Although he did speak once on television, the ageing Attlee still undertook his traditional speaking tour of the country, driven by car from hustings to hustings, as usual, by his faithful wife Vi.

BBC: CONSERVATIVE VICTORY

During his 2002 visit to Cuba, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was permitted to speak on Cuban state television and mentioned the Varela Project, the first time that many Cubans had heard of Paya's efforts to change the country's political system.

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Goody has continued to appear on television and speak to the press throughout her treatment.

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