Fidel Castro Suddenly Back in View on Cuban TV

Havana - A quiet and simple Fidel Castro returned to the spotlight Monday year spent largely out of public view, discussing world events in a raspy voice of his most famous television interview falling seriously ill four years ago.

That the 83 year-old former president talked about how tension between the United States and North Korea and Iran could eventually trigger a global nuclear war, in an interview on the "Mesa Redonda" - or "Round Table", every day, Cuban talk current events.

Conversation ranges widely from Pakistan's energy needs for America's defense spending out of control and the Chinese decision to lend money to Cuba to buy energy efficient light bulbs.

Something Castro did not discuss the events in Cuba, where the government announced on Monday and sent to exile in the first some 52 political prisoners they have promised to free the coming months.

Interview lasted about one hour and 15 minutes, but spent much of that time with both Castro reading essays by someone else or having their words read back to him by the presenter Randy Alonso.

The scene is sparsely lit office at undisclosed location was a Surrealist, even in a country that often feels stuck in 1950 time frame. It was even unclear whether the interview was live, or when it may be taped.

Is a point, Castro referred to the July 5 article as having been published in six days ago, which means the show was taped on Sunday. Later, however, the host program to read a essay published on Sunday night, citing it as having come out "last night.

Revolutionary leader, wore a dark blue track suit top over a plaid shirt as he took questions. Three scientists sat silently nearby as Castro speaks, sometimes nodding in agreement.

Castro warned that an attack on Iran would be disastrous to America.

"The worst (America) is the resistance they face is that they face in Iraq," he said.

As the interview progressed, Castro showed at times, 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 heard, as the host read traces back to a long essay by Castro himself wrote recently.

Former Cuban leader shunned attention, since undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006. Illness forced him to step down - first temporarily and then permanently - and cede power to his younger brother Raul. His recovery has been 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 continued to publish his thoughts on world events in opinion pieces.

While Cubans have become standard in reading Castro's writings, he remained largely out of public eye since ceding power, which helps to Raul Castro solidify, his place as head of the country after a lifetime spent most of his famous brother's shadow.

Monday was a highly anticipated interview, said the front-page story in the Communist-Party daily Granma earlier day. Castro appeared in a videotaped interviews with Cuban television in June and September 2007, but Monday's appearance was advertised and more extensive.

Cuban media later showed footage of employees following the senior Castro on the big screens to create their jobs.

Photos senior Castro greeting workers at a Science Center published by pro-government and state media blogs last week, the first time she has been photographed in public since his illness.

Cubans reacted with surprise when ranking Castro relative media blitz.

"I think it will have a positive impact on people," the 21-year-old student David Suarez told AP. "It will give hope that the next time he will help solve our problems.

Magaly Delgado Rojo, 72-year-old retiree in Havana's Playa neighborhood, that should be made carefully think out of the Cuban leadership.

"Now the pictures and" Round Table "look for the message to send:" I am here, and I at the top of everything. ... I am a part of every decision is made, "he said. "This is not random at all. This is calculated.

Both Castros are ruled Cuba since overthrowing dictator Fulgencio Batista 1959 in Fidel's health for years been frequent rumors - particularly among exiles in Florida, and his television appearance will undoubtedly be examined for signs of his aging.

The photographs of Fidel published this weekend were taken Wednesday by scientific think tank in Havana. He has shown smiling and waving to employees, appearing calm and happy, but little stooped. Granma republished pictures on Monday under the history of his upcoming television appearance.

Cuba is occasionally released photographs showing Castro in private meetings with officials, recently visited during February in Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. But he was not photographed in a public setting since 2006.

Castro appeared in a 50 minute taped with Alonso the "Mesa Redonda» 2007 in June to discuss Vietnam and other topics. He also made a Cuban television for the hourlong interview in September that year, knocking down a slew of rumors of his death.

One month later, he called to live broadcast featuring Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, close Castro ally was visiting Cuba. Castro sounded healthy and good humor, but he had not seen.

Castro appeared with other visiting presidents and officials are videos and photos.