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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Castro appears on Cuban state TV | Castro appears on Cuban state TV |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro is appearing in his first taped television interview for more than three months. | Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro is appearing in his first taped television interview for more than three months. |
| Mr Castro, 81, who looked thin but healthy, has not appeared in public since July last year when he underwent emergency intestinal surgery. | Mr Castro, 81, who looked thin but healthy, has not appeared in public since July last year when he underwent emergency intestinal surgery. |
| There have been no official photographs or video footage of him since 5 June. | There have been no official photographs or video footage of him since 5 June. |
| Mr Castro spoke slowly with long pauses about a range of international topics including the strength of the dollar against the euro. | Mr Castro spoke slowly with long pauses about a range of international topics including the strength of the dollar against the euro. |
| 'Deathbed' rumours | |
| The interview focussed on a recent newspaper article by Mr Castro on international affairs, the risks to the global economy and criticism of the United States. | |
| But the BBC's correspondent in Havana says that Mr Castro's words are seen as less important than the fact that he has made an appearance. | |
| Cuban officials have insisted Mr Castro is on the road to recovery. | Cuban officials have insisted Mr Castro is on the road to recovery. |
| He has been writing regular newspaper editorials but the lack of images has intensified speculation about Mr Castro's health. | |
| His failure to appear on his birthday on 13 August fuelled rumours that he might be on his deathbed. | His failure to appear on his birthday on 13 August fuelled rumours that he might be on his deathbed. |
| Mr Castro's younger brother, Raul, has been acting president since 31 July, 2006. | Mr Castro's younger brother, Raul, has been acting president since 31 July, 2006. |