HAVANA (AP) - A statement attributed to Fidel Castro on the eve of the revolution's 48th anniversary assured Cubans Saturday that the ailing leader could still recover from his prolonged illness.The message was read by a newscaster on state television and radio. Castro traditionally sends a message to Cuban citizens every New Year's Eve to mark the anniversary of the Jan. 1, 1959, revolution that brought him to power. ``I am grateful to you for your affection and support,'' read the message. ``Regarding my recovery, I have always warned that it could be a prolonged process, but it is far from being a lost battle.
``I collaborate as a disciplined patient, attended by the...team of our doctors.''
Castro purportedly said he was still ``in the loop'' when it came to matters of state. ``I have had exchanges with our closest comrades always when cooperation has been necessary on vitally important issues.''