Castro 'reflects' on health, praises Obama

On Thursday Fidel Castro said that he doubts he'll still have the privilege of observing world events in four years, indicating awareness that he is nearing death.

Cuba's former leader made the remarks in closing the latest editions of his "Reflections" essays that are usually posted on a government web site the day before they are published in state newspapers. The essay was seven paragraphs and it discussed the inauguration and coming term of U.S. President Barrack Obama in the United States. He also addressed that topic in an edition of Reflections published Wednesday. Castro wrote that he had the rare privilege to observe events over a long period of time. He said that he receives information and he thinks about the events. He continued to say that he does not expect to have that privilege in four years when Obama's first term has finished. December was the last time Castro has posted an essay and no pictures if him had appeared since November. On January 1st, the 50th anniversary of Cuba's revolution, there were no comments made by Castro and rumors circulated that he had fallen seriously ill or perhaps had died. Even though photos of Castro occasionally surface, the leader has not been seen in public since he ceded power to his younger brother in July 2006 after he suffered from an illness, even though it's never been disclosed it is said that it was an illness related to his digestive system. Raul Castro was given permanent power in February 2008. However an official news agency in Argentina reported that Castro had met with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner , president of Argentina, and that he appeared to be very well. Kirchner said that they talked about all subjects and that Castro seemed very well. Kirchner said that they also talked about the international situation. Castro said that Obama has transformed himself under the inspiration of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. to the point of becoming a living symbol of the American dream.