Posted on 08/06/2006 4:50:52 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Cuban authorities have told the Brazilian government that Cuban leader Fidel Castro has a malignant stomach tumor and may be unable to return to full power, a Brazilian newspaper reported on Saturday. Folha de S.Paulo said Brazilian officials had been told that Castro's illness marked the start of an irreversible transfer of power on the Communist-ruled island.
Folha said Cuban authorities informed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and members of the ruling Workers' Party about the malignant stomach tumor this week. His condition was worse than has been publicly admitted, according to Folha.
"It looks like we will lose our friend," it quoted Lula as telling an aide.
It gave no source but the report was written by a respected journalist. Brazilian officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Castro, 79, relinquished power temporarily last Monday to his younger brother, Raul, after intestinal surgery. ADVERTISEMENT
Few details of his state of health have emerged, triggering uncertainty about Cuba's future and speculation that his 47-year-old rule over Cuba could be drawing to a close.
Cuban Cabinet ministers have said the Fidel Castro was recovering.
But Folha said the Brazilian authorities had been informed that even if Castro recovered, he might not be able to assume full power again.
Lula had instructed his team to be discreet, it said. He told friends Castro was a strong man who has been a friend in "difficult hours." He hoped for his recovery.
The two men are old friends and the Workers' Party has longstanding ties to Cuba, although Lula has moved the party away from its leftist roots and toward the political center.
Lula has visited Cuba several times, most recently as president in 2003.
Nah, gotta send the Toons. No-one can politicize a funeral like the Toons.
I hope it hurts
Good, I hope it is as large as his arrogance and twice as painful as has been the pain he has inflicted upon the people of Cuba he has abused and murdered and three times as deadly as his dictatorship.
And finally I hope his suffering and misery is long-lasting and his death is "slowwwww" in coming.
Savor it deliciously you demonic bastard!
In truth, the US will send no one. It will be interesting who shows up on their own.
Stomach cancer is said to be a very painful way to shuffle off this mortal coil. Good.
Hopefully, they will turn it into a Wellstone (which is defined as a political rally so over the top even your supporters are nauseous) and prove to the world once and for all that a dem is identical to a communist, marxist, socialist, progressive, or populist.
(Hmm.. will Hitlery buy a new black pantsuit for the funeral?)
Gee, I'd love to be the one to break the news to Foggy Bottom. The striped pants brigade will be distraught.
BINGO !
Large Study Links Tobacco To Stomach Cancer
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Large_Study_Links_Tobacco_To_Stomach_Cancer.asp
Not a lotta love on this thread! (Where's Dan Rather when ya need him?)
No, Jimmy Carter and Dan Rather should lead the delegation. Give them a one way plane ride and let them swim back.
I agree, I really can't see wishing him pain and death. I'd love to see a deathbed conversion. Fidel tells the people that the "revolution" is no longer needed and turns Cuba into a true democracy. Well, I can always dream! What was in my coffee?
I was hoping for good old anal--gangrene....
Let's just hope this report is correct.
There is only one man for the job, Jimmy the Carter!
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