World

He's Alive!! New Castro Video

by phrolen | September 21, 2007 at 02:50 pm

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In a surprise to everyone, Fidel Castro, cubas ailing leader, emerged on Cuban state run TV friday appearing sound in mind and poised. Castro has not been seen in public since an intestinal surgery in 2006 when he was forced to cede power to his brother Raul. Castro spoke on a wide array of topics including the falling value of the dollar and soaring oil prices; he gave Friday's closing prices for each, verifying that the video was new and authentic.

HAVANA (AP) - Fidel Castro looked alert and healthier in a video taped Friday, the first images released of the ailing 81-year-old leader in more than three months. In the video aired unexpectedly on Cuban state television Friday evening, Castro spoke slowly and softly and didn't always look the interviewer in the eye. But he appeared to be thinking clearly.

Officials broke into regularly scheduled programming only minutes earlier to announce that an hour-long "conversation" with Castro would be shown.

The broadcaster said the video was taped Friday, and during a rambling interview with the host of the government's nightly "Round-table" news program, Castro discussed topics ranging from the price of oil to the value of dollar, giving Thursday's closing prices for each.

Castro also talked about an essay he had published Thursday morning, and controversies over proposed anti-missile systems.

Castro has not been seen in public since announcing on July 31, 2006, that emergency intestinal surgery had forced him to cede power to a provisional government headed by his 75-year-old brother Raul

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Kaitlin

at 14:59 on September 21st, 2007

phrolen, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

phrolen

at 15:03 on September 21st, 2007

Thanks Kaitlin, this is big news for me, I have been a castro follower (not a fan just intrigued) for a while now. He keeps hanging in there. I would have swore he was dead already.