Reuters AlertNet Lite - Cuba TV leaves Castro birthday plans up in air

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Cuba TV leaves Castro birthday plans up in air

17 Nov 2006 03:34:10 GMT
Source: Reuters

HAVANA, Nov 16 (Reuters) - An influential program on state-run Cuban television on Thursday described plans for ailing Fidel Castro's 80th birthday celebration but did not mention whether he would attend and said his ideas were more important than his presence.

The nightly "Mesa Redonda" show, often used by the government to disclose news, was devoted entirely to the Dec. 2 event, but its participants stayed away from the topic of Castro's health.

Moderator Randy Alonso said in a closing statement that "more than the physical presence, the ideas of Fidel, the ideas of the revolution" were important to the celebration.

Castro had intestinal surgery for an undisclosed illness and temporarily turned over leadership to brother Raul on July 31.

He has not been in public since, but an Oct. 28 video showed him to be gaunt and frail, raising questions about whether he would recover enough to return to power.

Many in Cuba view the Dec. 2 event, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the revolution that put him in power in 1959, as an important milestone for Castro.

Government officials have said he is recovering but that his attendance for the celebration is uncertain.

His 80th birthday was Aug. 13, but he was unable to celebrate in public and suggested it be marked on Dec. 2.

The highlight of the celebration will be Havana's first military parade in a decade, with art, music and literary events leading up to it.

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Last updated:Fri Nov 17 03:36:05 2006