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Fidel contemplates his mortality | Fidel contemplates his mortality |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has urged his country's leadership not to be disturbed by his illness or his eventual death. | Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has urged his country's leadership not to be disturbed by his illness or his eventual death. |
In his second online article in two days, Mr Castro again praised new US President Barack Obama. | In his second online article in two days, Mr Castro again praised new US President Barack Obama. |
But he added that he did not expect to be following world events by the end of Mr Obama's first term in four years. | But he added that he did not expect to be following world events by the end of Mr Obama's first term in four years. |
There has been much speculation on the health of the 82-year-old, who had not written a column for five weeks. | There has been much speculation on the health of the 82-year-old, who had not written a column for five weeks. |
Fidel Castro's second essay on www.cubadebate.cu in two days came after his brother, President Raul Castro, denied rumours that his health was worsening. | Fidel Castro's second essay on www.cubadebate.cu in two days came after his brother, President Raul Castro, denied rumours that his health was worsening. |
Mr Castro had not written any columns since 15 December, after averaging nine a month in 2008. | Mr Castro had not written any columns since 15 December, after averaging nine a month in 2008. |
He has not been seen in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July 2006. | He has not been seen in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July 2006. |
However, Argentina released photos of him meeting its visiting President, Cristina Fernandez, in Havana on Wednesday. | |
'Meditate calmly' | 'Meditate calmly' |
In his article published on Thursday, Mr Castro said Cuban leaders "shouldn't feel bound by my occasional [columns], my state of health or my death". | In his article published on Thursday, Mr Castro said Cuban leaders "shouldn't feel bound by my occasional [columns], my state of health or my death". |
"I have had the rare privilege of observing events over such a long time. I receive information and meditate calmly on those events. I expect I won't enjoy that privilege in four years, when Obama's first presidential term has ended," he wrote. | "I have had the rare privilege of observing events over such a long time. I receive information and meditate calmly on those events. I expect I won't enjoy that privilege in four years, when Obama's first presidential term has ended," he wrote. |
He said he had written fewer columns recently so as not to "interfere or get in the way of the [Communist] Party or government comrades in the constant decisions they must make". | He said he had written fewer columns recently so as not to "interfere or get in the way of the [Communist] Party or government comrades in the constant decisions they must make". |
In his column on Wednesday, Mr Castro praised Mr Obama for his "honesty" but said he had many questions to answer. | In his column on Wednesday, Mr Castro praised Mr Obama for his "honesty" but said he had many questions to answer. |
Mr Castro, whose Cuban revolution has survived 10 US presidents, had warm words for America's new leader. | Mr Castro, whose Cuban revolution has survived 10 US presidents, had warm words for America's new leader. |
"I expressed that personally I had not the least doubt of the honesty with which Obama, the 11th president since 1 January, 1959, expressed his ideas, but in spite of his noble intentions there remained many questions to answer," he wrote. | "I expressed that personally I had not the least doubt of the honesty with which Obama, the 11th president since 1 January, 1959, expressed his ideas, but in spite of his noble intentions there remained many questions to answer," he wrote. |
Mr Obama has said he wants to meet Cuban leaders and improve US-Cuba relations. He has indicated he will ease restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba but maintain the 46-year US trade embargo on the island. | Mr Obama has said he wants to meet Cuban leaders and improve US-Cuba relations. He has indicated he will ease restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba but maintain the 46-year US trade embargo on the island. |
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