Proof Of Life?
The AP reports that pictures have been printed in Cuban media reportedly showing Fidel Castro holding the Saturday edition of Granma. In what I consider unusual for AP (or any of the wire services these days) the copy of the photo they show admits that they cannot vouch for the accuracy of the claims of when the photo was actually taken. (Is it possible the harsh criticism from bloggers is beginning to have an effect? One can dream).
Castro, whose illness forced him to step aside as president two weeks ago, said his health had improved, but warned he still faced risks.
"I feel very happy," said a statement attributed to Castro in the Juventud Rebelde newspaper. "For all those who care about my health, I promise to fight for it."
"To say that the objective stability has considerably improved is not making up a lie," the statement read. "To affirm that the recovery period will take a short time and that there is no risk would be absolutely incorrect.
"I ask you all to be optimistic, and at the same time to be ready to face any adverse news," it added.
"To the people of Cuba, infinite gratitude for your loving support. The country is marching on and will continue marching on perfectly well."
The online edition of the newspaper also published four photographs of Castro wearing what looked like a white and red running suit. In two of them he is talking on the telephone and in another is showing a copy of the Saturday edition of Granma, the Communist Party newspaper.
On Saturday, Granma carried a report saying that Castro was walking and talking again, and even working a bit in the most optimistic report yet since intestinal surgery forced him to cede power temporarily.
This is a classic "proof of life" pose, Kidnappers often pose their victims holding a recent newspaper to show the victim was at least alive at a certain date. Of course, digital editing software has made that sort of thing less trustworthy. For example, our super secret operative managed to get a completely unaltered (Reuters level of veracity guaranteed!) photo of what the picture actually showed before it was photoshopped by the Cuban government. Credit goes to those brilliant folks at Magic 8-Ball Photography Animal Rendering, Inc.
UPDATE: Was this Reuters Grade™ photo prophetic? Sean Gleeson seems to think so.
Foto Phun, World news | Gaius August 13, 2006
Other Links to this Post
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bRight & Early » Birthday at Bernies? — August 13, 2006 @ 6:46 am
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Globalclashes — August 13, 2006 @ 9:15 am
By Chine_meigui, August 13, 2006 @ 7:06 am
yep…look pictures don’t lie
By Roland Hesz, August 15, 2006 @ 9:44 am
The photo was a bit fake.
For one, the original newpaper is not the same size as the one Castro holds in his hand.
Also, on the photo it has black headlines.
In life the headlines are red.
Also, the fingers at the bottom were cut in a straight line if you magnify it.
The photo was fake.
By Gaius, August 15, 2006 @ 9:46 am
The newspaper is folded backwards as well.