HAVANA - Cuba's vice president and Venezuela's leader gave optimistic
assessments of
Fidel Castro's health, saying the Cuban president was
recovering quickly from intestinal surgery and could be expected back at work
within a few weeks.
Castro has been out of sight since July 31, when his secretary announced he
had undergone surgery and was temporarily ceding power to his younger brother,
Defense Minister Raul Castro.
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People wave Cuban flags in support of Cuban
leader Fidel Castro in Havana,Sunday, Aug.6,2006. Cubans gathered early
Sunday to answer the government call to reaffirm their commitment to
Castro and the revolution while authorities said that the Cuban leader was
steadily improving from the major surgery that prompted him to temporarily
cede power to his brother Raul on Monday.
[AP]
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"In a few weeks he'll be recovered and he'll return to his duties," Vice
President Carlos Lage said Sunday when asked by reporters when Castro would be
back at work. Lage spoke in Bolivia, where he attended the Andean country's
constitutional convention.
Castro's return would expose a US policy of "lies" behind speculation that he
would not recover from the operation, Lage said.
Cubans were told most details of Castro's health would be kept a state secret
to prevent the island's enemies from taking advantage of his condition. Indeed,
officials have failed to say what precisely is ailing Castro or what surgical
procedure he underwent.
Lage earlier shot down reports that Castro had stomach cancer.
"The operation that he underwent was successful and he is recovering
favorably," he said Sunday. "Fidel's going to be around for another 80 years."
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Castro, who turns 80 next Sunday, was
out of bed and talking following his surgery.
"How are you, Fidel?" Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio program,
suggesting he believed the Cuban leader was watching. "We have reliable
information of your quick and notable recuperation."
"Fidel Castro, a hug for you, friend and comrade, and I know you are getting
better," he added.
Speaking by phone with Bolivian President Evo Morales later during the
program, Chavez said Castro was bouncing back quickly.
"This morning I learned that he's very well, that he is already getting out
of bed, he's talking more than he should - because he talks a lot, you
know. He has sent us greetings," Chavez said.
