ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MEXICO CITY
Fidel Castro spent his 70th birthday at a communist youth center in the Cuban capital Tuesday, but did not hold a public celebration because ``birthdays aren't important.''
``For me, it's a work day like all the rest,'' Castro told Cuban state television.
The closest thing to a birthday bash was a tour Monday night of an exhibit of black-and-white photographs documenting the Cuban revolution. Several guests joined Castro for the exhibit in old Havana.
``I feel well ... above all in good spirits,'' Castro was quoted as saying by the official Cuban news agency Prensa Latina, which was monitored in Mexico City.
Castro looked fit in an olive green uniform as he toured the exhibition of photographs capturing decades of history as much his as Cuba's.
The exhibit included 1950s photographs of Castro in the Sierra Maestra mountains during a guerrilla war on the former Batista dictatorship, 1961 photos of the thwarted Bay of Pigs invasion by CIA-trained exiles, and portraits of Castro with world leaders.
Castro gave up his trademark cigars years ago for health reasons. He told reporters he was exercising and eating sensibly. Prensa Latina said he appeared robust.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB