Posted on 01/24/2008 2:37:52 PM PST by NormsRevenge
HAVANA - Fidel Castro revealed Thursday that he thought he was dying when he fell ill in July 2006, and hastily made plans to give up power as doctors fought to save his life.
"When I fell gravely ill the night of the 26th and dawn of the 27th of July, I thought that would be the end," the ailing 81-year-old wrote in an essay published on the front page of state newspapers.
"And while the doctors fought for my life, the head aide of the Council of State read at my urging the text and I dictated the necessary arrangements," he wrote.
Castro has not been seen in public since July 31, 2006, when his secretary Carlos Valenciaga read a statement on government television that emergency intestinal surgery was forcing the island's unchallenged leader since 1959 to cede power to a provisional government headed by his younger brother Raul.
Though he stepped aside as president, Castro has retained his role as head of the island's supreme governing body, the Council of State.
A slate of newly elected Cuban lawmakers meets Feb. 24 and will choose a new Council of State from among its ranks, which include both Castro brothers. Fidel Castro wrote in December that he had no intention of clinging to power or standing in the way of a new generation of leaders, but has not said whether he wants to remain head of the council or permanently retire.
He is recovering in an undisclosed location and his condition and exact ailment are carefully guarded secrets.
Castro has looked gaunt and frail, but also upbeat and lucid in occasional recent official videos and photographs. Life on the island has remained little changed since he stepped down.
Thursday's lengthy essay, dated Jan. 22, mentioned a two and a half hour meeting last week with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Absent was a recreation of Castro's scrawled signature, which has been printed at the end of other recent writings.
Castro wrote that Silva, who describes Castro as his friend, decided to visit Cuba on the spur of the moment, even though "my health didn't guarantee him a meeting with me."
When Silva "commented that he was very impressed with my health, I responded that I was dedicating myself to thinking and writing," Castro wrote. "Never in my life have I thought so much."
TV grab from state-owned Cubana Television channel showing Cuban President Fidel Castro on January 15. Ailing Cuban leader Castro disclosed to Cuba's official media Thursday that when he was taken gravely ill 18 months ago, he thought he was dying. (AFP/TV CUBANA)
Cuban leader Fidel Castro poses in this photo taken by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during their meeting in Havana January 15, 2008. (Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva/CubaVision TV/Handout/Reuters)
COME ON Fidal make my 2008 dead pool pleaseeee
Thank God for Spanish specialist doctors. That Cuban medical system would have killed him.
One foot in Hell and the other on a banana peel!
He probably was, but Satan is not going to let one of his most effective useful idiots get out of it that easy.
I wish.
Ah, so that’s why we are still stuck with Carter. It suddenly becomes clear...
Looka Like “Weekend at Fidels” to me.
He IS dying. “No one gets out of here alive.” (Jim Morrison.)
Cuba to Hell express!
Keep thinking those goooood thoughts, Fidel....
I heard at the doctor’s office yesterday, two old couples complaining to each other about getting old. The one old guy says to the other,”Yup, life’s a terminal disease.”
In fact, he thought he was dying right up until last year... and then he died.
I wonder how much Adidas paid for the right to outfit him in the eternal sweatsuit.
This guy is like the amnesty bill....he dies several times only to resurface and be supported by Democrats (and RINOs).
My father-in-law used to say “if I knew getting old was going to be so painful I never would have done it.”
That Adidas suit has got to reek.....if this guy really is alive he is one who can’t come to grips with death,he believes he is the one who will be immortal
And the entire world was hoping he was right. Well, most of them anyway.
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