HAVANA - A statement attributed to Fidel Castro on the
eve of the revolution's 48th anniversary assured Cubans Saturday that the ailing
leader could still recover from his prolonged illness.
Tourists in a carriage ride past a billboard with an image of
Cuba's President Fidel Castro in Havana, Wednesday, Dec.27, 2006. A
Spanish surgeon who has just examined Castro said on Tuesday he is making
good recovery from intestinal surgery and does not have cancer.[AP]
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The message was read by a newscaster on state television and radio. Castro
traditionally sends a message to Cuban citizens every New Year's Eve to mark the
anniversary of the Jan. 1, 1959, revolution that brought him to power.
"I am grateful to you for your affection and support," read the message.
"Regarding my recovery, I have always warned that it could be a prolonged
process, but it is far from being a lost battle.
"I collaborate as a disciplined patient, attended by the...team of our
doctors."
Castro purportedly said he was still "in the loop" when it came to matters of
state. "I have had exchanges with our closest comrades always when cooperation
has been necessary on vitally important issues."
Earlier Saturday, Cuba's Communist Party daily reported that Castro
telephoned the Chinese ambassador in Havana to wish President Hu Jintao a happy
new year.
The government's release of the message and the news about his call to the
Chinese ambassador seemed aimed at ensuring the world that he is recovering,
five months after he underwent emergency intestinal surgery.
Because Castro's medical condition is shrouded in secrecy, it has been the
subject of speculation and rumor.
Castro, 80, has not been seen in public since shortly before July 31 when he
announced he was temporarily stepping aside while he recovered from his
operation.
He has provisionally ceded power to his brother Raul, the 75-year-old defense
minister.
Saturday's story said Castro called Chinese Ambassador Zhao Rongxian on
Thursday evening and they discussed relations between their countries. The
ambassador also transmitted his president's wishes for Castro's speedy recovery.
The island's official media has not commented on a Spanish surgeon's
declarations earlier this week that Castro did not have cancer and was slowly
recovering from a serious operation.
Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, chief surgeon at Madrid's Gregorio Maranon
Hospital, said he flew to Havana on Dec. 21 to see Castro and consult with the
Cuban leader's medical team on how his treatment was progressing.
Castro's medical condition is a state secret, but Cuban authorities deny he
suffers from terminal cancer, as U.S. intelligence officials have claimed. Cuban
officials have nonetheless stopped insisting Castro will return to power.
Garcia Sabrido said Castro could resume the presidency if his recovery is
"absolute."
Some doctors believe Castro may suffer from diverticular disease, which can
cause bleeding in the lower intestine, especially in people over 60. In severe
cases, emergency surgery may be required.