Castro to address Cuban people as he recovers from knee op

HAVANA, Oct 25 (AFP) - Septuagenarian leader Fidel Castro will address the Cuban people later Monday through a widely broadcast government program as he recovers from an operation on his left knee, broken in a heavy fall last week, according to the state-run newspaper Granma.
"The commander in chief will deliver a message this evening during the round table," the newspaper said, referring to the government program that airs every day on Cuban television and radio here.
The program is due to start at 1800 hours local time (22:00 GMT).
The 78 year-old communist president, who has ruled this Carribean island for 45 years, fell off a step during an official ceremony late Wednesday. He suffered a broken knee and a fractured arm in the spill.

10/25/2004 18:38 GMT - AFP