HAVANA- Rumors continue to fly out of Cuba that for the first time since before coming to power, Dictator Fidel Castro is beardless.

"I can neither confirm nor deny these allegations," declared an official representative Monday, "At this time, Mr. Castro has elected to remain silent."

"He is as hairless as a baby's bum," said an inside government source who demands anonymity, "Well, maybe a baby's bum that bears a striking resemblance to the chin of an old man."

Castro's beard has provided him with ample machismo ever since before his rise to power in 1959. Should the rumors prove to be true, the impact upon the island nation would be difficult to gauge.

"Without his beard, he is nothing. And we are up the creek," says another anonymous source, though a different guy than the first one. "I don't think I'd want to be a Communist anymore if our dictator was clean shaven."

"I agree," said the wife of the second anonymous source, "if he thinks he can lead us with a weak chin, he's got another thing coming."

Sources in south Florida report possible sightings of Castro representatives purchasing hair clippers last month. Vince Conway, proprietor of The Conway Family Chop and Shave, claims to have sold a pair of hair clippers to a Cuban representative four weeks ago.

"When the man came in," said Conway, "he was acting very secretive, almost as if he was embarrassed. I didn't know why anyone would be so embarrassed to buy hair clippers, so I just assumed he was under the influence of Cocaine."

When pressed about the clipper issue, Castro's official representative opened up only slightly.

"I will confirm that a pair of clippers was purchased. But they have only been used to maintain a consistent four-inch beard length. No more, no less. I repeat: the clippers were not intended to shave the beard."

This explanation was met with skepticism from the press.

"Some of the hairs dip into his Cheerios," continued the representative, "What would you do?"

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was approached concerning the impact of a beardless Castro on Cuban embargo status.

"If he really did shave it," suggests the Secretary, "then maybe it's time to open negotiations."