Fidel Castro suddenly back in view on Cuban TV

[FlipSide]

By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press Writer Paul Haven, Associated Press Writer – Tue Jul 13, 6:35 am ET
HAVANA – Former President Fidel Castro used his most prominent television interview since falling seriously ill four years ago to discuss everything from the threat of global nuclear war to the use of energy efficient light bulbs.

The one thing the 83-year-old revolutionary leader did not discuss in his return to the airwaves Monday was events in Cuba, where the government freed and sent into exile the first of 52 political prisoners it has promised to release in coming months.

Why Castro agreed to go on the air Monday after so long in the background was a mystery, as are so many things involving the former Cuban leader, who has spent a lifetime keeping the world guessing. Castro provided no answers in the hour and 15 minute conversation on "Mesa Redonda" — or "Round Table" — a daily Cuban talk show on current events.

Castro wore a dark blue track suit top over a plaid shirt. He looked relaxed and lucid, though his voice was raspy and he spoke slowly.

Much of the interview was spent with either Castro reading essays by someone else or having his own words read back to him by presenter Randy Alonso. Three academics sat silently nearby as Castro spoke, sometimes nodding in agreement.

Castro warned that an attack on Iran would be catastrophic for America.

"The worst (for America) is the resistance they will face there, which they didn't face in Iraq," he said.

The scene at a sparsely lit office at an undisclosed location was slightly surreal, even in a country that often feels stuck in a 1950s time warp. It was even unclear whether the interview was live or when it might have been taped.

At one point, Castro referred to a July 5 article as having been published six days ago, which would mean the show was taped on Sunday. Later, however, the program's host read from an essay published Sunday evening, referring to it as having come out "last night."

As the interview progressed, Castro at times showed flashes of his prowess as a powerful speaker. At other points, however, he paused for lengthy periods and shuffled pages of notes he kept in front of him. Later, he listened as the host read back long tracks from essay's Castro himself wrote recently.

The former Cuban leader has shunned the spotlight since undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006. The illness forced him to step down — first temporarily, and later permanently — and cede power to his younger brother Raul. His recovery has been a closely held state secret, and his health has been the subject of persistent rumors among exiles in Florida.

Castro remains head of Cuba's Communist Party and continues to publish his thoughts on world events in opinion pieces.

[JDR]

Of course he'd say an attack on Iran would be catastrophic for America considering the close ties with Iran and Cuba. If technology hadn't vastly improved as much as it has over the past decades, Cuba would be a dream spot with a huge economy. America doesn't need to bend over backwards for Cuba because they've allowed us just enough to not be a factor and we can monitor their waters just fine, ex: Iran a couple of years ago. Castro is an excellent speaker though. He can control a crowd.

[FlipSide]

Shouldve Succeeded In At least one of the 13 times we tried to kill him... dudes still moving the masses and extending olive branches to our enemies

[JDR]

Yah. I'd love to know the real history between the US & Cuba. A lot of crazy shit has had to of happend you wouldn't read in a history book.

-- Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:58 pm --

Also, the Bay or Pigs shows the epic failure of America. That gave 'em balls to call out the U.S. and make public that they were officially a Socialist state. I knew that had to sting Kennedy. You don't just do that shit, spur of the moment after being in office for just a couple of months.

[FlipSide]

Yea... then have soviet nukes pointed at u from so damn close.... An avid cigar smoker as kennedy was... he ordered mad cubans then set the embargo.. But yea there were several failed us attempts on his life... Musta murked like 10 look a likes thinkin it was him

[Duke]

Geopolitically, Castro is not the biggest threat out there. You talk to Cubans in Miami and they'll tell you he's the devil. But look who he replaced. Batista was a cruel ruler who basically let the Mafia control Havana. Cuba ain't Switzerland, but it's not North Korea, either.