Birthday boy Castro missing from bash

A government worker at the gala launch of the five-day birthday bash read a message which he said came from the Cuban leader. It said Castro8217;s doctors had told him he was not in a condition to attend the party at Havana8217;s Karl Marx Theater where about 5,000 well-wishers gathered.

8220;I direct myself to you, intellectuals and prestigious personalities of the world, with a dilemma,8221; said the note.

8220;I could not meet with you in a small locale, only in the Karl Marx Theater, where all the visitors would fit and I was not yet in the condition, according to the doctors, to face such a colossal encounter,8221; it added.

8220;My very close friends who have done me the honor of visiting our country, I sign off with the great pain of not having been able to personally give thanks and hugs to each and every one of you,8221; the message said.

The crowd, which included hundreds of guests from other countries and thousands of Cubans, responded with a standing ovation.