Castro warns of nuclear war in ME

"When something like this begins...it is only a question of seconds."

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fidel Castro AP 311 (photo credit: Associated Press)
Fidel Castro AP 311
(photo credit: Associated Press)
Fidel Castro warned of the threat of global nuclear war involving the US, Israel, and Iran Friday, in his fifth public appearance this week following a four-year hiatus from political life.
Castro has so far stayed clear of discussing Cuban national issues, focusing instead on his apocalyptic theory that war is imminent pitting the United States and Israel against Iran.Cuba's Castro meets with Syrian President AssadReport: Castro concerned Israel will strike Iran
"When something like this (nuclear war) begins, all the responses are pre-programed," Castro warned. "It is only a question of seconds."
"The United States finds itself now in an unsolvable dilemma (in the Middle East)," Castro told 115 ambassadors, according to Reuters. "It cannot get out, nor can it stay."
Castro appeared at the Cuban Foreign Ministry Friday to address questions from Cuban ambassadors. The sudden media blitz has many observers wondering if the 83-year-old former president plans to reinsert himself into Cuba's political scene at a particularly sensitive time. The government — now run by his brother Raul — is in the midst of freeing dozens of political prisoners, faces a severe economic malaise and has been cracking down on high-level corruption.
With Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez at his side, the former president took questions for more than 90 minutes from Cuba's ambassador corps, who were assembled in Havana for a regularly scheduled meeting. A taped broadcast of the session went out on national television Friday evening, and an article about the encounter was posted on the government-run Cubadebate website.
"Thank you, Comandante," the foreign minister said at the end of the question period. "We are very excited about your presence here this morning."
In Castro's other appearances this week, he has met workers at a science think tank, been interviewed on a current affairs program, visited an economics center and taken in a dolphin show at the national aquarium. Even at the dolphin show, Castro brought up his fear that America would unleash a nuclear war, something he has been warning about in opinion pieces for weeks.
Castro went so far as to predict in one of his essays that the World Cup recently completed in South Africa would be interrupted by a looming conflict. He later apologized for jumping the gun, saying he received outdated information from a low level Foreign Ministry functionary, but said he still thinks a nuclear conflagration is on the horizon.
The former Cuban leader stepped down — first temporarily, then permanently — following emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006. He has occasionally met with foreign dignitaries since then, but the photos published of him on Saturday at the science think tank were the first of him in a public setting since his illness.
Now, suddenly, he's everywhere, leaving Cubans to wonder what it all might mean.
The two Castros have ruled Cuba for more than half a century since overthrowing dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. Fidel's health has for years been the subject of frequent rumors — particularly among exiles in Florida, and his television appearance will undoubtedly be scrutinized for signs of his aging.