At 83, Castro fires warning on economic downturn

(AFP) – 14 hours ago

HAVANA — Fidel Castro marked his 83rd birthday with a bleak warning over US handling of the global economic crisis, as photos emerged of the Cuban former president apparently in better health.

The two images surfaced as Cuba's government-run newspapers ran a signed opinion article calling on Cubans to "continue onward" in the face of world economic turmoil and misguided US policies.

"The quite general tendency of US politicians is to believe that as soon as the banks free-up enough dollars to grease the machinery of the productive apparatus, everything will march on to an idyllic and not-yet- dreamed-of world," Castro said.

"Some people talk about the economic crisis being the end of imperialism, maybe one could ask whether it does not mean something worse for our species," he added.

"In my opinion, the best will always be to have a just cause to defend and the hope to continue onward."

But the article featured few of the bombastic denunciations of the United States normally seen in his frequent "reflections" carried by official Cuban media.

Amid swirling rumors of ill health Castro formally handed power to his brother Raul, now aged 78, in early 2008.

Fidel, once famous for his epic hours-long speeches, has not been seen in public since July 2006, prompting a spew of rumors that he died.

But he has made a steady recovery at least to the point of keeping a busy hand in policy and writing political commentary. Fidel Castro remains head of the Cuban Communist Party.

In the latest in a series attempts to dispel any rumors, two seemingly recent images emerged showing Castro flanked by a group of US clerics belonging to the Pastors for Peace organization.

Wearing a white track suit, dark t-shirt and a blue cap, Castro seemed to have gained weight since previous pictures. In one, a faint smile could be seen beneath his thinning gray beard.

Although the photos are undated, the Pastors for Peace group was in Cuba from July 24 to August 3 to deliver humanitarian aid to the island, in defiance of the US trade embargo, in place since 1962.

One of the group, Reverend Lucius Walker, who has long campaigned for an end to sanctions against the island, said that during the multi-hour meeting, Castro appeared "strong" and "healthy."

"He was standing tall and strong, looking as healthily as I hope is portrayed in the pictures," Walker told AFP from New York.

According to Walker, Castro and his wife hosted the group at their home in Havana on August 2, with the former leader boasting about a long walk taken the day before and detailing his healthy new diet based on fruit and vegetables.

"He still loves yogurt," said Walker, adding that the veteran leader mentioned he had trouble walking on grass because of its unevenness, and preferred flat surfaces.

Walker said