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| Surgeon 'flew in to treat Castro' | Surgeon 'flew in to treat Castro' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A leading Spanish surgeon flew to Havana last Thursday to treat the ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, a Spanish newspaper is reporting. | A leading Spanish surgeon flew to Havana last Thursday to treat the ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, a Spanish newspaper is reporting. |
| The Cuban government has not commented on any aspect of the report. | The Cuban government has not commented on any aspect of the report. |
| The surgeon, Dr Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, is an expert on intestinal ailments, particularly cancer. | The surgeon, Dr Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, is an expert on intestinal ailments, particularly cancer. |
| President Castro temporarily stepped down from power last July and issued a statement saying he had undergone an operation to stop intestinal bleeding. | President Castro temporarily stepped down from power last July and issued a statement saying he had undergone an operation to stop intestinal bleeding. |
| Although his health is a state secret, Cuban officials have said that he is not suffering from cancer or any terminal illness, and that he is recuperating. | Although his health is a state secret, Cuban officials have said that he is not suffering from cancer or any terminal illness, and that he is recuperating. |
| 'Professional advice' | 'Professional advice' |
| The Barcelona-based newspaper says that Dr Garcia Sabrido flew to Havana on a jet chartered by the Cuban government. | |
| Citing Spanish medical sources, it reports that the surgeon brought with him equipment which is not available in Cuba. | Citing Spanish medical sources, it reports that the surgeon brought with him equipment which is not available in Cuba. |
| It says he came to give his professional advice on whether President Castro should undergo further surgery. | It says he came to give his professional advice on whether President Castro should undergo further surgery. |
| Dr Garcia Sabrido is understood to have been in Havana just last month - on that occasion to take part in an international conference on surgery. | |
| According to the programme for the event, he gave two lectures. One was on peritoneal cancer - a cancer of the lining of the abdomen. The other was on colonic cancer. | According to the programme for the event, he gave two lectures. One was on peritoneal cancer - a cancer of the lining of the abdomen. The other was on colonic cancer. |
| US claims denied | US claims denied |
| Since Mr Castro temporarily stood down from power almost five months ago, there has been no shortage of speculation as to what he might be suffering from. | Since Mr Castro temporarily stood down from power almost five months ago, there has been no shortage of speculation as to what he might be suffering from. |
| Unnamed US officials have told American media that it is cancer, possibly in its terminal stages. | Unnamed US officials have told American media that it is cancer, possibly in its terminal stages. |
| But earlier this month, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez strenuously denied that his long-time friend and ally was suffering from the disease. | But earlier this month, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez strenuously denied that his long-time friend and ally was suffering from the disease. |
| Cuban government officials, including the country's foreign minister, gave the same message to a visiting group from the US Congress last week. | Cuban government officials, including the country's foreign minister, gave the same message to a visiting group from the US Congress last week. |
| And on Friday, Raul Castro, the acting President of Cuba, assured delegates at the country's national assembly that his brother was progressing in his recovery. | And on Friday, Raul Castro, the acting President of Cuba, assured delegates at the country's national assembly that his brother was progressing in his recovery. |