Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Cuban VP 'very optimistic' on Castro's health
11-22-2006

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro's health continues to improve, according to Vice President Carlos Lage, who said Tuesday he was very optimistic, days before postponed birthday celebrations for the revolutionary icon.

"He is continuing to recover, his health continues to improve, and we all are very optimistic about his recovery when that is possible, when his doctors say so, but we are satisfied that he is recovering," Lage told local radio.

Lage neither confirmed nor denied Castro's participation in celebrations at the end of the month in honour of his 80th birthday, which he marked August 13.

Castro's birthday celebrations were postponed after intestinal surgery in July. He has temporarily ceded power to his brother Raul Castro, the defense chief.

Speculation has grown about his health, amid persistent rumours in US media that he is suffering from cancer. Cuban authorities have been short on details as his health is considered a state secret with security significance.

For the events, scheduled November 28 - December 2, Cuba is due to celebrate its first military parade in a decade.

Alfredo Guevara, a personal friend of Fidel, meanwhile told reporters that the Cuban leader's "computer, his brain, is working and working really well."

The December 2 date was picked because it marks the 50th anniversary of the day Castro and 81 bearded rebels -- including brother Raul and Argentine-born revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara -- returned from exile in Mexico aboard a yacht named Granma, launching a military campaign that would topple US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.