U.S. believes Castro has terminal cancer
POSTED: 10:07 a.m. EST, November 12, 2006

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. government believes Fidel Castro's health is deteriorating and that the Cuban dictator is unlikely to live through 2007.

That dire view was reinforced last week when Cuba's foreign minister backed away from his prediction the ailing Castro would return to power by early December.

"It's a subject on which I don't want to speculate," Felipe Perez Roque told The Associated Press in Havana.

U.S. government officials say there is still some mystery about Castro's diagnosis, his treatment and how he is responding. But these officials believe the 80-year-old leader has cancer of the stomach, colon or pancreas.

He was seen weakened and thinner in official state photos released late last month, and it is considered unlikely that he will return to power or survive through the end of next year, said the U.S. government and defense officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the politically sensitive topic.

With chemotherapy, Castro may live up to 18 months, said the defense official. Without it, expected survival would drop to three months to eight months.

American officials will not talk publicly about how they glean clues to Castro's health. But U.S. spy agencies include physicians who study pictures, video, public statements and other information coming out of Cuba.

A planned celebration of Castro's 80th birthday next month is expected to draw international attention. The Cuban leader had planned to attend the public event, which already had been postponed once from his August 13 birthday.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Regierung: Castro hat Krebs im Endstadium


Der kubanische Staatschef Fidel Castro leidet nach Einschätzung der US-Regierung unter Krebs im Endstadium. Selbst bei einer Chemotherapie habe er nicht mehr länger als 18 Monate zu leben, hieß es in Washington. Ohne eine solche Behandlung sinke Castros Lebenserwartung auf drei bis acht Monate. Castro habe vermutlich Magen-, Darm- oder Bauchspeicheldrüsenkrebs, verlautete in Regierungskreisen in Washington. Es sei unwahrscheinlich, dass er das kommende Jahr überlebe. Der kubanische Außenminister Felipe Perez Roque hatte in den vergangenen Tagen erklärt, der 80-Jährige werde möglicherweise nicht wie geplant Anfang Dezember die Amtsgeschäfte wiederaufnehmen.


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