Cuban leader Fidel Castro has reassumed most of his government
tasks in his country, although not formally, stated?in
Caracas?Friday his confidant and friend Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez during a press conference.
Cuban President Fidel
Castro speaks in his "Mesa Redonda" program on Cuaban National TV,
in Havana October 28, 2006. Castro appeared on state television
speaking to Cubans as he browsed the day's newspapers, in his first
public appearance for 40 days.
"There were times in which he completely delegated his
government functions, but at this time he has reassumed most of the
work although not formally," said Chavez.
Fidel Castro provisionally delegated power on July 31 to Raul
Castro due to a serious illness which remains a State secret.
"His notes, his voice through the telephone and other details
indicate there is a frank recovery in his health, but I cannot say
more," said Chavez in reply to a question as to when Castro would
officially assume Cuba's direction.
"Last night I received a message written by Fidel," said Chavez,
and added that he has become, unintentionally, Castro's confidant
and information recipient, "in full detail, in respect of the
problem he has been undergoing."
Chavez added that the Cuban leader "is almost recovered,
dedicated to analyze and study. He has been on track of the oil
market, of the trade interchange with Venezuela, of the Posada
Carriles case, of the threats that continue against Cuba and
Venezuela."
The 79-year-old Posada Carriles, a Cuban-born former CIA
operative and naturalized citizen of Venezuela, is wanted for an
alleged attack on a Cuban airliner that killed 73 people, and for a
series of attacks on Havana hotels that killed one Italian tourist
in 1997.
(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2007)
