HAVANA, Cuba (AP) -- Visiting U.S. lawmakers were told by Cuban officials that the ailing Fidel Castro is not terminally ill and will return to public life, but some legislators said they saw in the assurances of Castro's health a growing political vacuum on the Communist island.

The 10-member delegation, who weren't allowed to meet with acting President Raul Castro as they had hoped, said issues of human rights and economic freedom are important to them, but that it is time for the two countries to find creative ways to solve their differences.

Castro's medical condition has been a state secret since he underwent surgery for intestinal bleeding in late July and temporarily ceded power to his younger brother Raul Castro. He has not been seen publicly since July 26.

Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said all the Cuban officials they spoke to during the three-day trip that ended Sunday told them the 80-year-old leader's "illness is not cancer, nor is it terminal, and he will be back."

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