Posted on 08/11/2006 1:58:47 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
HAVANA - It was supposed to be the ultimate tribute, several days of parties and concerts to mark Fidel Castro's 80th birthday. But instead of listening to folk music and attending conferences on his legacy, Castro is expected to spend his birthday Sunday in bed, recovering from surgery for intestinal bleeding.
Cubans have cultivated a myth over the last half-century that Castro is invincible, but now confront the fact that he is an octogenarian — and frail like other elderly mortals.
A few Cubans say it won't be long before Castro is giving five-hour speeches once again, but many believe he will never be quite the same.
Castro was last seen in public July 26, giving speeches in eastern Cuba where he joked he wouldn't still be ruling the island when he was 100 years old. An announcement shocked Cubans days later: On July 31, Castro's secretary went on state television to say the leader had undergone surgery and was passing authority temporarily to Defense Minister Raul Castro.
Details on Fidel Castro's whereabouts and medical condition are a mystery. On Friday, it was unknown whether any birthday celebrations would take place this weekend. A long list of international artists and intellectuals had planned to travel to Havana to fete Castro on his big day, but after the announcement of his illness, the celebration was pushed back to December.
Top officials in recent days have said he is recuperating and should be back to work in upcoming weeks, reassuring many Cubans. But some skeptics say they believe the situation may be more grave than officials admit.
Many doubt the Cuban leader will make even a brief appearance to cut his cake Sunday — especially after hearing close friend Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's remark Thursday that Castro is in a "great battle for life."
"We are so anxious to see him," said Marlene Cassola, 44, a nurse attending a government-organized rally in support of Castro and the Cuban Revolution. "But he's resting. We know he is a very elderly person — still, we're really hoping for the best."
Parliament Speaker Ricardo Alarcon has emphasized Castro's need to rest — and how difficult that is for a man who typically micromanages projects and generally sleeps just a few hours a night.
"Fidel isn't a head of state just for protocol, for ceremonies — he is an extremely rare head of state: a hard worker," Alarcon said in a recent interview with the Venezuela-based television station Telesur.
Castro's lifelong nemesis, the United States, has taken his illness as an opportunity to try to push Cubans toward a political transition.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon told reporters Friday that Castro appears to be confronting "serious" health problems and his attempt to turn over power to his brother is doomed.
"The transfer won't work," Shannon said. "Ultimately, there is no political figure inside of Cuba who matches Fidel Castro."
A man wears a T-shirt with an image of late rebel leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara while attending an event at the 'Flag Plaza' opposite the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana August 11, 2006. Students celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Continental Latin American and Carribean Students Organization (OCLAE) on Friday. REUTERS/Enrique De La Osa (CUBA)
How touching. I'm sure the Cuban people can't wait to have him return....
Castro won't be celebrating the way Mike Douglas celebrated his birthday today?
he's shucked off the mortal coil and has evacuated his bowels
More BS.
Yup, especially all those he had murdered , imprisoned and that drown trying to escape his tyranny.
If he lasts that long...
Translation: He won't be making an appearance at his public birthday celebration for some reason.
FReeper Ironclad and I saw a young girl at lunch the other day who couldn't have been more than 20 that was wearing a similar "Che" t-shirt. My guess is she didn't even know who he was, but was told that the shirt showed she was "cool."
What is it with the liberal-love-in with dictators like Castro and Guevara, who would drag their pot-smoking, down-with-society protesting asses into the dungeons of Hell and throw away the keys if they actually lived under them?
Any definition of Hell would have to include being forced to listen to them.
I'd prefer it if he marked his 80th birthday in an urn.
OK. What's a Cuban urn?
Hopefully in 3 months they will be throwing dirt in his dead face.
Thanks to both of you for a goood laugh!
Any definition of Hell would have to include being forced to listen to them.
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LOL! And a definition of "suicide" would be: The first one who stops clapping after one of these speeches.
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