By Marc Frank in Havana
Published: June 19 2007 03:44 | Last updated: June 19 2007 03:44
A still convalescing Fidel Castro appeared to reassert his leadership
over Cuba on Monday, issuing a "manifesto" in which he emphasised
defence readiness, appeared to squash hopes of market reforms and urged
Cubans not to expect big improvements in their lives.
The long statement, covering the front page of the Communist party
newspaper Granma, was Mr Castro's first manifesto and comment on
domestic issues since temporarily handing over power to his brother
Raúl, defence minister, last July.
Mr Castro, 80, has had several operations for abdominal problems since
then and has not appeared in public. Photographs of him meeting visitors
show him in a tracksuit rather than his trademark military uniform.
However, he has written numerous "reflections" on international issues
in recent weeks, and has held long meetings with other national leaders,
Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Bolivia and Nicaragua's Daniel
Ortega.
He also appeared stronger in a recent interview with the Cuban media and
is once more dominating the government media, though until Monday he had
avoided comment on domestic issues.
"From one year to the next the standard of living can be improved by
raising knowledge, self-esteem and the dignity of people. It will be
enough to reduce wastage and the economy will grow," Mr Castro wrote on
Monday, in an apparent reference to a debate over market reforms.
"This is Fidel weighing in with a general line to follow before next
month's Communist party central committee meeting, and I doubt anyone
will buck him even if he is not present," a Havana University professor
said, asking not to be identified.
Raúl Castro, in charge of the government since his brother became ill,
has fostered more criticism and discussion about the country's economic
problems, raising expectations of change and improvement.
In an apparent attempt to dampen those expectations, Fidel Castro
emphasised the US threat and embargo and said the situation facing
Cubans had markedly improved since the crisis of the 1990s, in part
thanks to Venezuela.
"The Venezuelan Bolivár-ian revolution brought a significant relief and
opened up new possibilities," Mr Castro said, referring to oil shipments.
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