HAVANA/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Former Cuban leader  Fidel Castro seemed alert and energetic yesterday in his first  known talks with U.S. officials in years, and asked how to best  help U.S. President Barack Obama normalize relations between  their countries, U.S. lawmakers said.

“Of course, he has been ill. But I think we will agree that  he was very healthy, very energetic, very clear thinking,” said  Representative Barbara Lee.

Lee, flanked by fellow members of the Congressional Black  Caucus, made the comments at a news conference in Washington  just hours after three of them met with Fidel Castro in Cuba.

These were the first known talks between U.S. officials and  Fidel Castro, 82, since he underwent surgery in July 2006.

The full seven-member U.S. delegation met with President  Raul Castro, who took over from his ailing brother last year.

The meetings took place at a time of possible change in  hostile U.S.-Cuba relations, spurred by Obama’s vow to move  toward normalizing ties with the communist-ruled island, 90  miles (145 km) from Florida.

The United States has maintained a trade embargo against  Cuba since 1962. The U.S. policy of isolating Havana began soon  after Fidel Castro took power in 1959.

Lee, who led the U.S. group, and the others in the  delegation said Fidel Castro appeared eager to try to improve  links between the countries.

“He was very well aware of what was going on,”  Representative Laura Richardson told the Washington news  conference.

“As he leaned in, he looked directly into our eyes, quite  aware of what was happening, and said to us ‘how can we help  President Obama?’“

News reports have said Obama will shortly lift restrictions  on family travel and remittances between Cuba and the United  States. The U.S. Congress is considering legislation that would  eliminate a ban on Americans visiting Cuba.

Obama has said he would maintain the trade embargo until  Cuba shows progress on human rights and democracy, which Lee  said the delegation discussed only generally with the Cubans.