Castro Sends Message

Fidel Castro says he is recovering in a message sent to the Cuban people. He also says he has lost 41 pounds since the surgery. Question for anyone with a medical background: isn't that a lot?

HAVANA - Fidel Castro said in a statement Tuesday that he has lost more than 41 pounds since he had intestinal surgery but added that the "most critical moment" was behind him. "Today I am recovering at a satisfactory rhythm," said the statement published in the Communist Party daily Granma, which was accompanied by new photographs of the 80-year-old Castro.

He said that he just recently had the last stitches from his surgery removed.

"I can affirm that the most critical moment has been left behind."

The statement was accompanied by 10 photographs of Castro during his convalescence, in all of them sitting up and wearing either short-sleeved navy blue or light-blue pajamas. In several he is reading or writing.

Most of the pictures show the leader from the waist up, although one shows his whole body as he sits in a rocking chair with slippers on his feet, reading what looks to be a newspaper.

In another Castro holds up a broadsheet proof of a new book written from a series of interviews he gave to French journalist Ignacio Ramonet, which he said he was reviewing during his recovery.

"In the coming days I will be receiving distinguished visitors," he added, apparently referring to some of the heads of state and government who will traveling to Havana for a summit of nonaligned nations.

"This doesn't mean that every activity will be immediately accompanied by video or photographic images, although news will be provided of every one," the statement said.

He's apparently not well enough to attend any of the Non-Aligned Summit events, however and still has not been seen in public.