Fidel hints at his death before Obama's term ends

Jan 25, 2009, 15:57 GMT

A handout photo made available on 23 January 2009 shows Cuban leader Fidel Castro (L) with the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (R) during the official visit of the Argentinian President to Havana, Cuba, 21 January 2009. EPA/ARGENTINIAN PRESIDENCY HANDOUT

Mexico City/Havana - While a new star rises over US President Barack Obama, another is setting in Cuba on the man who spent half a century railing against the powerful neighbour to the north.

Revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, 82, whose communist regime has outlived 11 US presidents including Obama, insisted this week that things were going well.

But in his commentary about Obama, he hinted that he would not see the end of Obama's first four-year-term of office.

'I have had the rare privilege of observing events over such a long period of time,' the ailing former Cuban president wrote in his Reflections in the party newspaper, Granma. 'I receive information and meditate calmly on the events.'

But he added: 'I dont expect to have that privilege in four years, when Obamas first presidential term will have concluded.'

The comments appeared to hint at the final scene of a staged withdrawal of the one-time flamboyant leader who fell ill in August 2006 with an intestinal disorder that has never been fully clarified.

Writing in his regular 'Reflections' column in Granma, Castro also announced he would start shortening his writings so as 'not to interfere or get in the way of the comrades of the Party and state as they make constant decisions about objective difficulties stemming from the world economic crisis.'

'I am fine, but I insist, none of them should feel constrained by any of my Reflections, the seriousness of my condition or my death,' Castro wrote.

Fidel Castro's state of health has been held a state secret since an intestinal operation in late July 2006, when he turned over interim leadership to his brother Raul. In February 2008, Raul formally took over the presidency, and speculation about Fidel's condition has continued to simmer.

Fidel has not been seen in public since his illness, and only occasional photos or videos have been released showing him with visiting luminaries.

Rumours of his worsening condition and imminent death sharpened after the man who has anointed himself Castro's ideological successor, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, visited him two weeks ago and declared that Fidel Castro would no longer appear in public.

But Raul Castro has denied that his brother has taken a turn for the worse, announcing on Thursday that he was planning an official trip to Europe.

'Do you think I would (travel to Europe) if Fidel were in critical condition?' Raul told journalists. 'He is doing his exercises, thinks a lot, writes a lot and is helping me in my work.'