CUBA NEWS
August 24 , 2007

Cuban FM dispels rumors about Castro getting worse

Yahoo! News.

BRASILIA, 24 (AFP) - Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque Thursday said President Fidel Castro was still recovering from his operation last year and was keeping busy, having personally instructed him on his visit here.

While attending the Forum for East Asia Latin American Cooperation (Fealac), Roque, in an interview with AFP, dispelled rumors about the Castro's health taking a turn for the worse since his 81st birthday on August 13.

Castro, who after stomach surgery a year ago handed over power to his brother Raul, "is steady, on track with his recovery, showing discipline, a lot of dedication and a lot of activity, writing, reading and working," Roque said.

Although the communist leader has not appeared in public for more than a year, he has appeared in photographs and eight videos. The last video was shown June 5.

He continues "in process of recovery," Roque said.

"In particular, he keeps in constant touch with the leaders of Cuba's (Communist) Party and government," he added.

Asked if Castro was still in charge of Cuban affairs, Roque said: "Exactly, he is being informed and consulted constantly and works all the time."

Roque said he was in Brasilia for the Fealac forum at Castro's personal behest: "He gave me instructions to take part here in this meeting."

Cubans held some hope Castro would make a public appearance during his birthday celebrations 10 days ago, or that his close ally and friend, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, would turn up for a surprise visit.

Neither event took place, and amid growing rumors that Castro had taken a turn for the worse or, perhaps, had even died, Chavez said Sunday in Caracas that "Fidel is producing ... writing ... I spoke with him on his birthday."

Meanwhile, Castro, in his 39th article of a series published in official Cuban newspapers since late March, took a harsh look Thursday at what he called the "perfidious" policy of the United States.

 


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