Castro speaks to meeting by telephone - newspaper

HAVANA, Dec 16 (Reuters) Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro has spoken by telephone to a meeting of Cuban officials, the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma said today in the first official word on the sick leader in 11 days.

''The Commander in Chief Fidel Castro spoke by telephone to a work session of the Provincial Assemblies of the People's Power,'' the newspaper said.

Castro listened to a summary of discussions at the meeting held yesterday and got a warm round of applause, the newspaper said, giving no further details.

REUTERS MS HS1708