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Castro seen in rare TV interview | Castro seen in rare TV interview |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro has made his first TV appearance for three months, ending speculation that he had died or suffered a major relapse. | Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro has made his first TV appearance for three months, ending speculation that he had died or suffered a major relapse. |
Mr Castro, 81 has not appeared in public since July last year when he underwent emergency intestinal surgery. | Mr Castro, 81 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. |
In the taped interview, Mr Castro spoke slowly with long pauses about a range of topics including the strength of the euro against the dollar. | In the taped interview, Mr Castro spoke slowly with long pauses about a range of topics including the strength of the euro against the dollar. |
"Yesterday the euro was at $1.41. Oil I think about $84 a barrel," he said, suggesting that he was up to date on current affairs and that the interview was very recent. | "Yesterday the euro was at $1.41. Oil I think about $84 a barrel," he said, suggesting that he was up to date on current affairs and that the interview was very recent. |
He also showed a copy of a book by former US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, which was published this week. | He also showed a copy of a book by former US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, which was published this week. |
'Deathbed' rumours | 'Deathbed' rumours |
The interview focused on a recent newspaper article by Mr Castro on international affairs, the risks to the global economy and criticism of the United States. | The interview focused on a recent newspaper article by Mr Castro on international affairs, the risks to the global economy and criticism of the United States. |
They changed nearly all his blood - Fidel is alive because he is Fidel Hugo ChavezVenezuelan President | |
He also answered a question on the state of his health. | He also answered a question on the state of his health. |
"Well, I'm still here," he said. "And if they say I'm dying, or have died, or I'm going to die the day after tomorrow, well, no-one knows when they're going to die." | "Well, I'm still here," he said. "And if they say I'm dying, or have died, or I'm going to die the day after tomorrow, well, no-one knows when they're going to die." |
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. | 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. |
Earlier on Friday, Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, said Mr Castro had undergone several blood transfusions but could "live 100 more years." | Earlier on Friday, Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, said Mr Castro had undergone several blood transfusions but could "live 100 more years." |
"What little problem does he have? One operation, two operations, three operations. At 81, you can imagine he almost died," he said. | "What little problem does he have? One operation, two operations, three operations. At 81, you can imagine he almost died," he said. |
"They changed nearly all his blood. Fidel is alive because he is Fidel." | "They changed nearly all his blood. Fidel is alive because he is Fidel." |
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. | 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. |