Colin Powell’s Book Already in Translation

NEW YORK — Colin L. Powell mania has gained an unexpected convert: Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Castro, in New York to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the United Nations, told CNN television Sunday that he had 46 translators work four days to translate into Spanish “My American Journey,” the autobiography of the former armed forces chief and potential presidential candidate.

Praising Powell’s recollection of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro said the retired general’s possible candidacy “would be a very interesting thing.”

“We really wanted to know that book, to read that book,” he said. “In me, personally, Colin Powell’s book awakened great interest. Historically speaking, I was interested to know what he would write and also from the human perspective.”

Castro said he had lapped up a 35-page translation of a Time magazine excerpt.

“I have not been able to read it [the full book] as yet,” he said, citing a busy schedule of meetings in Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina. “But as soon as I’m free, I’m planning on reading the 500 pages of Colin Powell’s book.”

Powell, who has just completed a 29-stop tour to promote his book, has said he will decide in the next few weeks whether he will run in next year’s presidential election.