Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Cuba's Castro in a 'party' mood, 'not dying', says Chavez
02-02-2007

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Cuban President Fidel Castro is having a festive time, his friend and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Thursday, dismissing rumors that Castro is dying, six months after surgery.

"They said Castro was dying, but no, he was having a party," Chavez told reporters in a parody of a popular song.

"Fidel is stubborn and has shown significant recovery," said Chavez holding up a copy of Cuba's official newspaper Granma with an article about his visit.

"There are people who want Fidel to die ... but the doctor says what is obvious ... he's gained several kilos (pounds), he's walking more than I, analyzing, studying," Chavez told reporters after he was videotaped Monday talking with Castro in Cuba.

Emerging from months of seclusion, the 80-year-old Castro was shown on Cuban television Tuesday evening in apparent good spirits and looking healthier than in the previous footage broadcast on October 28, though still frail.

Chavez dismissed rumors about Castro's health ranging from a US official who said his days were numbered to a Spanish daily reporting he was recovering slowly from intestinal hemorrhaging.

Chavez said he spoke for at least two hours with Castro on Monday and that it was he who decided to break off the chat because he felt it was lasting too long.

Castro wanted to talk some more, Chavez said, adding that the ailing Communist leader was deeply involved in studying climate change, an issue that took up about half their conversation.

After an uninterrupted stint in power from 1959, Castro four days after intestinal surgery on July 27 transferred power to his brother and Defense Minister Raul Castro, 75, and dropped out of public view, except for appearing in videos.

Castro has not revealed the exact nature of his illness, calling it a state secret.