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8/6/06

wjz.com - Cuba Tries To Reassure Its Citizens


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Cuba Tries To Reassure Its Citizens

HAVANA The Cuban government sought to reassure citizens after Fidel Castro temporarily ceded power for the first time in 47 years, releasing a statement from the world's longest-serving head of government saying his health is stable, his spirits good and the defense of the island guaranteed. His brother and designated successor, Raul Castro, remained silent and out of sight, issuing no statements of his own.Castro, 79, acknowledged the operation was serious, saying "I cannot make up positive news." But he said his health was "stable" and "as for my spirits, I feel perfectly fine," according to the statement read on government television Tuesday night.

Castro seemed optimistic that with time he'll resume his public role, asking in his letter that celebrations scheduled for his 80th birthday be postponed until Dec. 2, the 50th anniversary of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces. Castro has been in power since his armed revolution drove out dictator Fulgencio Batista on Jan. 1, 1959. He has since imposed a firm rule that has ensured Cuba's place among the world's five remaining communist countries — China, Vietnam, Laos and North Korea.

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