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Close but no Fidel - bearded Castro still a no-show at NAM summit
By Patrick Moser
AFP
HAVANA
Petroleumworld.com 09 15 06
Even ailing and secluded, Fidel Castro is the undeniable star of the Non-Aligned summit, stirring speculation he may use the international spotlight for his first public appearance since his July surgery.
Half-way through the six-day Havana summit, there was still no public sighting Wednesday of the bearded leader, but the city was abuzz with rumors he might show up later in the week.
Opening ministerial talks at the Havana gathering Wednesday, Carlos Lage, the vice president of the Council of State, was upbeat.
"These days in Havana will be days of work and optimism: while the Non-Aligned Movement gets stronger, Fidel is recovering."
Hours later Cuban television showed still pictures on Wednesday night, showing Castro in a dark robe, smiling and chatting with a visiting Argentine lawmaker.
Castro, who said earlier this month that the worst of his health crisis was over after shedding 18.5 kilos (41 pounds), was shown in a hospital-type setting seated, talking and gesticulating with Miguel Bonasso, the personal representative of Argentine President Nestor Kirchner at the Non-Aligned summit meeting.
The official schedule of the NAM summit -- never changed after his surgery -- has him delivering two speeches and hosting a dinner later in the week.
In almost five decades in power, the legendary orator and iconic revolutionary has seldom skipped an opportunity to take the world stage and thumb his nose at the United States.
But even top Cuban officials admitted they had no clue whether Castro, 80, would appear at the summit, which will bring together leaders from at least 55 countries and ministers from dozens more.
If he does not appear, he might be represented by his brother Raul Castro, 75, who has officially taken over as head of state pending the strongman's full recovery from intestinal surgery.
That apparently doesn't mean the older Castro has turned his back on power after decades of micromanaging the Caribbean nation to the extent that he once lectured Cubans on the proper use of pressure cookers.
"Don't think that he is laying down in a bed," his younger sibling said. "He is on the telephone giving orders," Lage told the Telesur television network after welcoming
Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone on Tuesday night.
Over the past week, officials have repeatedly said Fidel Castro was well on his way to full recovery, though the president himself has said in a statement that while Cubans should be optimistic they should also brace for the possibility of "bad news."
And Venezuela's virulently anti-US President Hugo Chavez says his close Cuban ally is tough as a hardwood tree, and draws strength from a health concoction of his own making.
"Fidel cooks well, he prepares something he calls 'tsunami', which is a combination of oatmeal, barley and wheat, and which he says saved his life," said Chavez, who visited Castro three times since his operation and plans to spend time with the Cuban leader during the summit.
While Castro has not appeared in public since his operation, Cuban authorities have released photos of him decked out in a track suit jacket, and video footage showing him receiving Chavez on his 80th birthday on August 13.
Castro's temporary exit from power has fueled speculation about the future of the Communist-ruled island, amid stepped-up calls from Washington for political pluralism.
But there has been no sign of change in daily life on the island of 11.2 million people.
And authorities made it clear there was no plan to reform the communist nation's economy, even if Castro is unable to get back on the job. "It is not planned, the Cuban people do not want that, it is not something we are considering," said Economy Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez.
AFP 14 1219 GMT 09 06
Copyright ©2006 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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