A man peeks out a window decorated with a picture of Cuba's leader Fidel Castro and national flags in Camaguey, Cuba, in this July 25, 2007 file photo. (Claudia Daut/Reuters)
Posted on 08/01/2007 7:41:03 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
HAVANA - Fidel Castro said Wednesday that Cuba is "marching ahead" without him in power, insisting that he is consulted on all important decisions but giving no hint about when — or if — he might retake office after stepping down one year ago.
But he was decidedly less optimistic about the island's chances of improving relations with the United States, writing in his latest newspaper essay that "no one should entertain the slightest illusion" Washington will negotiate with Cuba.
Castro, who turns 81 this month, has not been seen in public since July 31, 2006, when he stunned Cuba and the world by issuing a proclamation stating that he had undergone emergency intestinal surgery and was stepping down in favor of his younger brother, Raul.
"Today, I am bombarded with questions as to when I will take up again what some call power," he said in the essay, titled "Eternal Flame," published Wednesday in the Communist Party newspaper Granma.
"Raul has already responded that, as I recover, every important decision is consulted with me," he wrote. "What will I do? I will fight tirelessly as I have done my entire life."
Castro said he was satisfied to see Raul Castro, the Communist Party and other groups "march on, guided by the unshakable principle of unity."
He said Cubans must be ever ready to beat back any foreign invasion: "It is our duty to work untiringly to strengthen our defensive capability and preparedness."
In a speech marking Cuba's "Revolution Day" last week, 76-year-old Raul Castro extended an olive branch to the United States, hinting that his government might be willing to negotiate with Washington once President George W. Bush leaves office.
But the elder Castro flatly dismissed that idea Wednesday.
"No one should entertain the slightest illusion that the empire, which carries the genes of its own destruction, will negotiate with Cuba," he wrote, calling the U.S. government "the empire" and blasting its efforts to promote a "transition to democracy" in Cuba as "apocalyptic," and "foul and insane."
Recovering in an undisclosed location, Castro's condition and exact ailment are state secrets. He has looked stronger and more alert in government videos and photographs meant to show his steady recovery.
While he has not appeared in public, he has written more than 30 published essays in recent months.
A man peeks out a window decorated with a picture of Cuba's leader Fidel Castro and national flags in Camaguey, Cuba, in this July 25, 2007 file photo. (Claudia Daut/Reuters)
Cuba's leader Fidel Castro speaks during an interview on state television in Havana June 5, 2007. Castro said on Wednesday that Cuba is 'marching ahead' without him at the helm, adding to the view of many Cubans that he is not coming back. (Government TV/Handout/Reuters)
Does that mean dead men can’t march and he is feeling left behind?
Fidel Castro is dead.
Cuba needs to march ahead with a little paint and spackle.
” Cuba is “marching ahead”
Right, like the sign carried by a protester in Moscow during a “perostroika” demonstration, “70 Years On The Road To Nowhere”.
"Do you like the plot up on the hill or over under that big tree? Do you like maple, or a metallic vessel? Do you like bagpipes? Everyone wearing black? Somber and pensive or celebratory and joyful?
Wow, strange scene.
Cuba = beauty trapped in communist amber
Why is he still alive??
The old “born to hang” saying comes to mind as one reason...
Before Castro the Cuban economy was going at such a rate to supply the average Cuban with a much better standard of living than most countries in Europe and Great Britian.
Fidel Castro is dead.
“Cuba ‘marching ahead’”
Bye then, have fun!
Just a few changes is all it would take to make Cuba great once again.
Amber is putting it nicely.
Lol, you are in your ‘dark’ stage now Felipe!! The words make me think of a line of heads marching.
Marching ahead to what? I don't see how Cuba has remained socialist under that dictator for so long, but of course that's easy for me to say. I have a feeling they could just break out in capitalism at any time, throwing out their dictatorial rulers, but if history is any indicator they won't. Too bad for them, because from what I hear it's a beautiful place and would be a thriving, modernized society/economy if they weren't artificially stuck in the 60s with a police state holding them back.
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