The medical examination confirmed what President Fidel Castro himself diagnosed after his accidental fall at the conclusion of yesterday’s event: a fracture to his left knee and a hairline fracture in the upper right arm. Both injuries will receive the appropriate treatment.

His general state of health is good and he is in excellent spirits.

There will be further reports on this matter, but—for obvious reasons—only when absolutely necessary.

The President himself instructed that this note be drafted. He wished to express his appreciation for the many displays of concern and solidarity among the population. He calls on everyone to remain calm, believes that his recovery will be rapid and states that it should be known that he is in a position to continue attending to basic matters in close cooperation with the leadership of the Communist Party and the state.

October 21, 2004

3:14 a.m.