Castro says worst is over, full recovery far off

Tuesday September 5, 5:23 PM
Castro says worst is over, full recovery far off

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro said the worst is over and
he is recovering well from intestinal surgery one month ago despite
losing 18.6 kg, a statement published on Tuesday said.

But the left-wing firebrand said a full recovery from his undisclosed
illness will take a long time.

Castro, 80, said the last of his stitches was removed after 34 days of
convalescence since his operation to stop intestinal surgery that forced
him to turn over power to his younger brother.

"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 Communist Party newspaper Granma's Web site,
with photographs of him reading in a rocking chair.

A thinner Castro appeared in pajamas and slippers sitting in a rocking
chair in what looked like a hospital room in photographs on Granma's site .

Castro, in power since a 1959 revolution, stunned Cuba on July 31 when
he ceded the presidency and leadership of the government temporarily to
his brother Raul Castro after undergoing emergency surgery.

Rumours that he had died swirled until photographs and video images of a
frail and bedridden Castro were released on his birthday Aug 13.

Castro said he will be receiving foreign dignitaries in the coming days,
a reference to next week's summit of the Nonaligned Movement of 116
developing nations in Havana. Many nations from Africa, Asia and Latin
America will be represented.

The Cuban leader 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 Castro suffered

from stomach cancer. His illness is a state secret to avoid helping his
enemies in the United States, officials say.

Castro asked the country to understand the need to withhold information
about his health.

"We must all equally understand that, realistically, a full recovery
will take a long time, like it or not," he said.

"At this time I am in no hurry and no-one should be in a hurry. The
country is going well and advances," he said.

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