Worst is over, Castro asserts
By Anthony Boadle
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY
Published September 6, 2006
HAVANA -- Cuban leader Fidel Castro said he has put the worst of his
health crisis behind him and will be able to receive foreign
dignitaries in private during a summit of developing nations next week.
But the communist firebrand said in a statement published yesterday
that a full recovery from the undisclosed illness that forced him to
turn over power to his brother will take a long time.
Mr. Castro, 80, said he has lost 41 pounds since undergoing
emergency surgery July 31 to stop intestinal bleeding caused by an
unexpected health problem.
"One can say that the most critical moment is behind us. Today I am
recovering at a satisfactory pace," he said in a message to the Cuban
people published by the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma on its
Web site, with photographs of him reading and writing in a rocking
chair.
A thinner Castro appeared in pajamas and slippers in what looked
like a hospital room in pictures on Granma's site,
www.granma.cubaweb.cu.
Mr. Castro said the last of his stitches was removed after 34 days
of convalescence, and he has been busy looking over a second edition of
a book of interviews he gave to Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet.
Mr. Castro, in power since a 1959 revolution against the regime of
dictator Fulgencio Batista, stunned Cuba on July 31 when he ceded the
presidency and leadership of the ruling Communist Party temporarily to
his younger brother, Raul, while he recovers from the operation.
Rumors that he had died swirled until photographs and video images
of a frail and bedridden Castro were released on his birthday, Aug. 13.
The Cuban leader said he will receive foreign dignitaries in the
coming days, but said images would not readily be available, indicating
meetings would not be in public.
Cuba will host a summit of the Nonaligned Movement of 116
developing nations next week in Havana. Many nations from Africa, Asia
and Latin America will be represented.
Mr. Castro is not expected to be strong enough to host the event,
which some 50 heads of state are due to attend. But a brief appearance
has not been ruled out.
The Cuban government has denied reports that Mr. Castro suffered
from stomach cancer. His illness is a state secret to avoid helping his
enemies in the United States, officials say.
Cuba watchers think the Cuban leader's health has been impaired and
he will not be able to resume an active leadership role.
Mr. Castro asked the country to understand the need to withhold
information about his health.
"We must all understand also that, realistically, a full recovery
will take a long time, like it or not," he said.
"At this time I am in no hurry at all, and no one should be in a
hurry. The country is going well and advances," he said.