Waiting For Fidel

The weird death-watch continues unabated. There have been no photographs of Fidel Castro since his hospitalization and no appearances in public by Fidel's brother and heir, Raul. Cuban government spokesmen continue to maintain everything is just peachy, however.

Close aide Ricardo Alarcon told a U.S. radio program on Wednesday that Castro, who had had a stomach operation, was "very alert" and resting after giving up power on the communist-ruled island for the first time in 47 years.

No photographs or television pictures of Castro, 79, have been released since his operation for intestinal bleeding and there was also no sign of defense minister Raul, 75, Castro's designated successor.

"We don't know what's going on. We're waiting for Raul to speak," said Vilma Gutierrez, a mother of three who works in a ramshackle state-owned shop selling subsidized potatoes and bananas. Her part of town saw riots in 1994 during the economic crisis set off by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A finger to her lips, she said: "People are keeping their mouths shut. They don't know what's going to happen."

There was a small increase in police presence in poorer parts of Havana and communist neighborhood organizations had activated "rapid response groups" used to put down riots.

Some Cubans with relatives in the security forces said military and other uniformed personnel had been mobilized in barracks and police stations as a precaution.

But Havana's sweltering streets, their stylish old buildings dilapidated from years of neglect, were quiet.

Castro, the world's longest-ruling head of government, gave Raul provisional powers as head of the armed forces, Communist Party and Council of State.

However, the "Maximum Leader" did get wet kisses from the "Minimum Leader"! Kim Jong Il sent a get well card:

"I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery to your health so that you can excellently continue to carry out the Cuban revolution and the great mandate given to you by the people of Cuba," Kim said in a telegram to Castro dated August 2.