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Letter to the editor

Castro says he thought he was dying in 2006

The Cuban leader worked feverishly on his memoirs.

HAVANA - Fidel Castro revealed Thursday he thought he was dying when he fell ill in July 2006 and was so worried about his legacy that he ordered last-minute editing of his memoirs even as doctors struggled to save his life.

"When I fell gravely ill the night of the 26th and dawn of the 27th of July, I thought that would be the end," the 81-year-old wrote in an essay published on the front page of state newspapers.

"And while the doctors fought for my life, the head aide of the Council of State read at my urging the text and I dictated the necessary changes," he said, referring to a book of interviews with a French journalist.

The essay marked one of the few times Castro has acknowledged how close he came to death during his illness, and indicated his concern over how he will be remembered when he is gone.

The book written by Ignacio Ramonet, editor of Le Monde Diplomatique, is based on more than 100 hours of interviews with Castro.

It was originally published in Spain, but an English version was released this month in the United States as Fidel Castro: My Life.

Castro said he "almost didn't sleep" in the days before falling ill because he was working on the Ramonet book.

Castro has not been seen in public since July 31, 2006, when his secretary Carlos Valenciaga read a statement on government television that emergency intestinal surgery was forcing the island's unchallenged leader since 1959 to cede power to a provisional government headed by his younger brother Raul.

He is recovering in an undisclosed location and his condition and exact ailment are carefully guarded secrets.

Thursday's lengthy essay, dated Jan. 22, focused on a two and a half hour meeting last week with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

When Silva "commented that he was very impressed with my health, I responded that I was dedicating myself to thinking and writing," Castro wrote. "Never in my life have I thought so much."

[Last modified January 25, 2008, 00:23:36]