Fidel Sends Cubans New Year Anniversary Message

HAVANA (Reuters) - Convalescing Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Monday
sent a New Year's message telling Cubans to celebrate the anniversary
of his 1959 revolution nearly 17 months after illness forced him to
hand power to his brother.

Castro, one of the few surviving Cold War enemies of the United States,
has only appeared in taped videos and photographs since undergoing
emergency stomach surgery in July 2006 and with his full condition a
state secret it is unclear whether the 81-year-old will resume office.

"In the morning, 49 years of the revolution will be behind us and the
50th year will symbolize half a century of heroic resistance," Castro
said in a statement read on television. "We proclaim our pride in this
record to the world."

Cuba's National Assembly may decide on Castro's post as head of state
when it approves members of the executive Council of State in March.
But his brother Raul's call for more open debate over problems has
fueled speculation about the political and economic future of the
island.

His brother says Castro is lucid, consulted on major policy decisions
and has recovered sufficient strength that party delegates sup****t his
nomination to run for a National Assembly seat, a requirement for the
presidency.

But Fidel Castro has hinted twice in recent statements he will not
cling on to power or his formal posts, suggesting he will instead
contribute with ideas drawn from his experience.

Castro has been nominated for the assembly but if he is too ill, the
assembly may formally appoint a successor. Fidel Castro holds posts of
president of the Council of State and Council of Ministers and first
secretary of the ruling Communist Party.

Cuba watchers say a smooth transition of power already has taken place
under Raul Castro, who some believe is a more practical manager who has
begun talking about an open approach to handling the economic problems,
including more foreign investment in the agriculture sector.

(Re****ting by Patrick Markey; Editing by Bill Trott)

(c) Reuters 2006. All rights reserved

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