Cuban leader Fidel Castro looked much healthier but shed no light on his future on Tuesday in his first television interview since life-threatening bowel surgery sidelined him from power 10 months ago.

 

 

Castro said he was eating better, and he appeared relaxed throughout the one-hour interview on state television.

 

Asked if he was in good spirits, Castro replied: "Yes, yes, I am doing what I have to do. There are no secrets anymore. I have said I am eating better for the first time."

 

But he gave no indication that he would return to govern Cuba, saying only that he will continue writing articles called Reflections of the Comandante in the Cuban press.

 

Although his hair is grayer and his speech is slower than before his illness, the 80-year-old Castro has clearly recovered from the worst of the health crisis and was in an upbeat mood as he recalled a visit to North Vietnam in 1973 in the midst of its war with the US.

 

He wore a red, white and blue track suit with a small Cuban flag on his chest for the pre-taped interview, which followed his weekend meeting with Vietnamese leader Nong Duc Manh.

 

True to character, Castro rambled as he read out a long list of dry statistics on energy consumption, education and public health in Vietnam.

 

It was his first televised interview after months of uncertainty over his fate. There were no tough questions on his health or domestic issues but his appearance heartened some supporters.

 

"He has put on weight and looks much better," said Lazaro Rodriguez, watching Castro in his Havana home. "We're happy to see him recovered and about to resume duties. We need him."

 

Others were not so sure Castro would return to power. "It's up to the doctors," said 70-year-old Maria Cristina Torres.

 

The Cuban leader has appeared progressively stronger in recent video images, adding credibility to official reports that he has almost fully recovered.

 

(China Daily June 7, 2007)