Fidel Addresses Congress

Appears Fairly Strong

Wants No Major Changes 
Mentions His Impending Death 

       This was Fidel Castro yesterday -- Tuesday, April 19th -- addressing the 1,300 delegates at Cuba's National Assembly in Havana's Convention Palace. The photo is courtesy of Amara Garcia Mederos/EPA. His appearance was carried on state television and he was greeted with loud applause. He began by saying: "I'll be 90 years old soon. Soon I'll be like all the others. The time will come for all of us, but the idea of the Cuban communists will remain as proof of this planet that if they are worked at with fervor and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without truce to obtain them." His voice was strong but trembled occasionally. At times he referred to the written notes of his speech. His words and tones served as a suggestion to his 84-year-old brother, President Raul Castro, not to change the Cuban system drastically, and not to sacrifice Cuban principles just to gain concessions from the United States, which he referred to as "the enemy." Fidel turns 90-years-old on August 13th. He seemed to consider this appearance as a farewell address to the National Assembly and, via television, to the Cuban people. His recovery from the near-fatal respiratory illness in July of 2006 is ongoing but obviously he feels the coda is near. It was also apparent yesterday that he feels at peace with himself and is quite proud of the revolution he forged, one that cataclysmically altered Cuba's course.

Fidel speaking; Raul listening; Tuesday, April 19th, 2016.

        85-year-old rebel ally Jose Ramon Machado Ventura congratulates Fidel after his speech yesterday, April 19th. The 1300 delegates were awed when he mentioned "The last time I will speak in this building."

"I'll be 90 years old soon."

"Soon I'll be like all the others."
"The last time I will speak in this building."

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