Castro stepping down as Cuba's leader

[genmirajborgza786]

SOME' MEN MAKE HISTORY SOME FADE WAY DURING ITS COURSE BUT VERILY THOSE WHO STAND FOR THE POOR ,THE LABORS, FARMERS ARE BLESSED BY THE GOOD PRAYERS OF THEIRS NATIONS PEOPLE & FROM THEIR BREAD & BUTTER THAT THEY TAKE AWAY FROM THE CRUEL CLUTCHES OF THE CORPORATE ELITE & DELIVERS IT TO THE POOR HARD WORKING & DESERVING CITIZENS FOR SUCH GOOD MAN IS THE HISTORIES SALUTE I THUS PAY MY SALUTE & RESPECT TO A MAN WHO STOOD UP FOR THE POOR AND WAS A THORN FOR THE EVIL CORPORATE CAPITALISTS I BORGZA SALUTE YOU OH CASTRO YOU SHELL BE REMEMBERED & REMEMBERED WITH CARCE.
genmirajborgza786

Castro stepping down as Cuba's leader
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-19 16:19



Cuba's President Fidel Castro gestures during a tour of Paris in this March 15, 1995 file photo. Cuban leader Castro said on February 19, 2008 that he will not return to lead the country, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution. [Agencies]


HAVANA - Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said on Tuesday that he will not return to lead the country as president, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution.


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Castro, 81, said in a statement to the country that he would not seek a new presidential term when the National Assembly meets on February 24.

"To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept -- I repeat not aspire to or accept -- the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief," Castro said in the statement published on the Web site of the Communist Party's Granma newspaper.


The National Assembly or legislature is expected to nominate his brother and designated successor Raul Castro as president in place of Castro, who has not appeared in public for almost 19 months after being stricken by an undisclosed illness.


His retirement drew the curtain on a political career that spanned the Cold War and survived U.S. enmity, CIA assassination attempts and the demise of Soviet Union.


A charismatic leader famous for his long speeches delivered in his green military fatigues, Castro is admired in the Third World for standing up to the United States.

Castro stepping down as Cuba's leader

 

[genmirajborgza786]

Castro says not to accept position of president of Council of State
19:00, February 19, 2008
Cuban leader Fidel Castro said Tuesday in a statement published in the online version of the official daily Granma that he would not accept the position of president of Council of State.

"To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept ... the position of president of Council of State and commander in chief," Castro said in the statement.

"It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion, that I am not in physical condition to offer," he said.

Castro, who temporarily handed over power to Defense Minister Raul Castro due to his gastro-intestinal surgery in July 2006, was reelected a deputy of the National Assembly in January.

The assembly will be convened on Sunday. Under Cuba's constitution, the National Assembly chooses 31 of its members to form the Council of State, whose leader will be the country's president.

"Fortunately, our Revolution can still count on cadres from the old guard and others who were very young in the early stages of the process," Castro said.

"They have the authority and the experience to guarantee the replacement," he said.

Out of public sight since his surgery, Castro said he would continue to "fight as a soldier of ideas" by writing columns in the Cuban media.

Source: Xinhua

Castro says not to accept position of president of Council of State - People's Daily Online

 

[asaad-ul-islam]

he's regarded as a hero by most cubans from what I've heard, on BBC that is.

 

[Awesome]

I think he's very close to his demise. He must've known, thats why he didn't wait to complete his 50th year as president.

 

[mujahideen]

Communist icon Castro bows out

HAVANA (AFP) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro announced Tuesday that he was stepping aside, ending nearly half a century of ironclad rule marked by his brash defiance of the United States.
Castro, 81, cited his poor health in a letter published in the Communist Party newspaper declaring that he would give up the presidency when the national assembly meets to pick a new head of state on Sunday.
The former Cold Warrior’s decision sparked hope across the world that the island, ruled by Castro since 1959, would begin to transition to democracy.
“I neither will aspire to, nor will I accept, the position of president of the Council of State and commander-in-chief,” wrote Castro, almost 19 months after undergoing intestinal surgery and handing provisional power to his brother Raul Castro.
“It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total commitment that I am not in physical condition to offer,” said Castro, who has only been seen in picture and videos in frail condition since disappearing from public view in July 2006.
All eyes will now turn to the weekend assembly meeting. Any member of his inner circle is arguably a contender, although many Cuba-watchers believe Raul Castro, 76, is the leading choice.
But Castro’s reference in his letter to a “middle generation” suggested that younger leaders such as Vice President Carlos Lage, 56, may have a shot at succeeding him.
Despite Castro’s exit, the United States stuck to its policy of isolating Cuba, indicating it had no plans to lift its decades-old trade embargo “anytime soon.”
US President George W. Bush said Castro’s resignation should begin a “democratic transition” in Cuba, eventually culminating with free and fair elections.
“And I mean free, and I mean fair-not these kinds of staged elections that the Castro brothers tried to foist off as being true democracy,” said Bush, the 10th US president to have dealt with Castro. A guerrilla revolutionary and communist idol, Castro held out against history and turned tiny Cuba into a thorn in the paw of the mighty capitalist United States.
Famed for his rumpled olive fatigues, straggly beard, and the cigars he reluctantly gave up for his health, Castro dodged everything his enemies could throw at him in nearly half a century in power, including assassination plots, a US-backed invasion bid, and US sanctions.
The longest ruling leader in the Americas overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista to take power in 1959 and kept a tight clamp on dissent at home, imprisoning political opponents. Rights groups put the current number of political prisoners at more than 200. During his tenure, the world came to the brink of nuclear war in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when the Soviet Union sought to position nuclear-tipped rockets on the island just 144 kilometers from Florida.
Despite giving up the presidency, Castro indicated in his message that he would try to remain an influence behind the scenes by continuing to write regular his column in the official newspapers.
His announcement was met with disbelief on the streets of Havana, where most have never known another leader.
“Damn, the commander in chief is stepping down! We knew this was going to happen one day. But now that it’s a reality, it’s just hitting us,” said Dayron Clavellon, 20, returning home after a night out with his friends in Havana’s club district.
In Miami, Cuba’s exile community, which has hoped to see the end of the Castro regime for nearly 50 years, erupted in jubilation with car horns blaring in the streets.

The Nation

 

[araz]

I think he's very close to his demise. He must've known, thats why he didn't wait to complete his 50th year as president.

I think you have hit the nail on the head. He probanbly has advanced cancer going by his Stomach Surgery 14 months ago. He wants to ensure smooth transition of power before he goes so that his legacy can be carried on.
Araz

 

[khanz]

I never knew this but cuba has one the best healthcare systems in the world from what i've seen castro was very much loved by his people.

 

[mujahideen]

Soldier of ideas

FEW leaders have taken on the US and lived to tell the tale. Fidel Castro did so till the very end of his memorable rule, which began in 1959 and ended with his resignation yesterday. Alarming his foes and winning admirers across the globe he became a legend in his own lifetime, an icon of revolution revered by generations from the fifties onwards. Aided in his efforts by the likes of Che Guevara, his brother Raul Castro and other comrades in the 26 July Movement, he succeeded on Jan 1, 1959 in overthrowing the government of General Fulgencio Batista, a US puppet under whom Cuba had become a playground for wealthy Americans and a stronghold of the American mafia. One of the longest-serving rulers in the world, he outlasted nine US presidents, although he was said to be the target of a number of assassination attempts allegedly sponsored by US governments. His stay at the helm saw his socialist programme change the face of Cuba with its land reforms and provision of quality education and health care to all citizens irrespective of social standing. The literacy rate in Cuba today is 98 per cent, top-notch medical care is free and the country’s infant mortality rate stands at par with that of western countries.

Fidel Castro was born into privilege but the gross economic disparity in his homeland prompted him to take up arms and embark on a search for permanent revolution. Of course he had his critics and was not averse to stifling dissent, prompting many Cubans to flee the country in the hope of political freedom or personal economic betterment. Yet to millions the world over, Mr Castro will be fondly remembered as the perennial underdog and people’s champion who never compromised on his ideals and refused to bow to US dictates. He memorably stated some years ago that “as the world increasingly moves to the right, I move that much more to the left by standing where I am.” After more than 47 years in the driver’s seat, Mr Castro temporarily handed over power to his brother Raul in July 2006 following intestinal surgery. On Tuesday, citing deteriorating physical health as the reason for his decision, he announced that “I neither will aspire to, nor will I accept, the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief.” He promised, however, that he would continue with his contribution to Cuba as a ‘soldier of ideas’. Cuba’s National Assembly meets on Sunday to choose a successor, quite possibly someone from a younger generation.

DAWN - Editorial; February 20, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

Cuba to name new leader to succeed Fidel Castro

By Anthony Boadle

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's National Assembly met on Sunday to name a successor to Fidel Castro, ending the rule of the bearded revolutionary who dominated the island for five decades of communism and confrontation with the United States.

His brother Raul Castro, who has been running Cuba since the 81-year-old leader was sidelined by illness 19 months ago, is widely expected to be named the next president.

Whether Raul Castro will open the door to limited economic reforms is foremost in the minds of many Cubans struggling to cope with low wages and shortages of basic goods.

The 614-member legislature will announce the composition of the Council of State, the island's highest executive body, at around 2:30 p.m. EST (1930 GMT).

"It is going to be Raul Castro, because he has always been the Number 2 and kept to the revolution's line. Continuity is guaranteed," said an employee of the army-owned tourism company Gaviota who gave his name as Moreno.

Fidel Castro, who announced his retirement as president last Tuesday, ousted a U.S.-backed dictator in an armed revolution in 1959 to become an icon of the left, a tyrant to his foes and a perpetual thorn in Washington's side.

Transformed by illness from a tireless firebrand who gave seven-hour speeches under the Caribbean sun into a shuffling old man, he has not appeared in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July 2006.

National Assembly members stood and applauded on Sunday as Fidel Castro's name was read out at the top of the list of legislators elected in a nationwide vote last month.

Castro said last week he was too weakened by his illness to continue governing but he will retain significant influence as first secretary of the ruling Communist Party and vows to soldier on in the "battle of ideas" by writing articles on world affairs.

Anti-Castro exiles and U.S. President George W. Bush have led calls for democratic reform on the island.

But in the streets of Havana, few Cubans think that, with Fidel Castro gone, the West's last communist state will crumble swiftly like many Soviet allies did. There was no increase in police presence.

"For me, it's like a normal day. I'm not worried because everything's going to carry on the same," said Carlos, 44, as he laid out green peppers at a corner market in the Vedado district. "Fidel was great, we won't have anyone like him."

Baker Mario Santos said low wages and a worthless currency needed fixing but Cuba had good things too, such as low crime and a social safety net.

"In the United States if you don't work, you don't eat," he said. "Things could change, but Fidel is not dead, and people here are Fidelistas, not comunistas."


BATTLING ON

Though he has faded from the public stage, staunch Castro supporters say he is still the unquestionable "leader of the revolution" and will continue pulling the strings of power.

"Fidel will never resign from revolution and power," said Alejandro Ferras, 87, who followed Castro in a near suicidal guerrilla attack on the Moncada army barracks in 1953. "He will continue fighting like a soldier in the Battle of Ideas."

An army general who has lived in the shadow of his more famous and charismatic brother, Raul Castro is seen as a good manager more concerned with putting food on Cuban tables than waging an ideological war against the United States.

As acting president, Raul Castro has fostered debate on the failings of Cuba's state-run economy and raised expectations that reform may be coming. In December, the long-time defense minister stated that Cuba has "excessive prohibitions."

But so far he has delivered little, other than relaxing customs rules for appliances and car parts that are much in demand and desperately short in supply in Cuba.

Many Cubans hope they will soon be allowed to freely buy and sell their homes, travel abroad and stay at hotels and beaches where only foreigners can now set foot.

Last year, Raul Castro extended an olive branch to the United States, saying he was open to talks but only after Bush, who tightened economic sanctions and travel restrictions to Cuba, leaves office.

Bush administration officials rejected the offer, calling Raul Castro "Fidel Lite" and denouncing what they see as the handing of power from one dictator to another.

 

[mujahideen]

Raul Castro takes over as Cuban leader

By Anthony Boadle

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's new leader Raul Castro vowed it would remain a bastion of revolution as he took over on Sunday from his brother Fidel Castro, who resisted half a century of U.S. attempts to oust him.

Raul Castro, 76, a former hardliner feared for his ruthlessness against his brother's enemies but who has adopted a softer tone in recent years, nodded and smiled as legislators applauded his election by the rubber-stamp National Assembly.

He is expected to bring some economic reforms and he said he might revalue the peso currency, but in a sign that change is unlikely to be deep or abrupt, Communist Party ideologue Jose Ramon Machado Ventura was named first vice president, or Cuba's No. 2.

In his first speech as leader, Raul Castro said he would continue to consult Fidel Castro, who stepped down on Tuesday because of poor health, on important decisions of state.

"The mandate of this legislature is clear ... to continue strengthening the revolution at a historic moment," he said.

He added that he was accepting the job on the condition that Fidel Castro continued to be the "commander in chief of the revolution" -- a title created for him during his guerrilla uprising before the 1959 revolution.

"Fidel is Fidel. Fidel is irreplaceable and the people will continue his work when he is no longer physically around."

Raul Castro lacks the oratorical flair of his brother, whom he converted to communism, but he has encouraged ordinary Cubans in the last 19 months to air their concerns over shortages and inefficiencies in the economy.

The appointment of Machado Ventura, a member of Raul Castro's inner circle, suggested change would be subtle.

"This is about signaling continuity externally and internally," said Julia Sweig, an expert on Cuba at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in Washington, although she said Cuba's leaders are well aware they need to address food shortages and other problems.

"Raul is really a pragmatist and for all of them the clock on bread and butter issues starts ticking now. It's a mistake to think there's an enormous amount of light between any of these people. They're all basically headed in the same direction, with some nuances," she said.

Cuban exiles in Miami, the heartland of opposition to the Castro brothers, were disappointed but not surprised at the appointment of Raul Castro as president and the elevation of a communist hardliner to the No. 2 position.

"Nothing new, more of the same. It's continuity. It's once more depriving the Cuban people of choosing their destiny ... I guess it shouldn't surprise anybody," said Ninoska Perez of the Cuban Liberty Council, a hardline anti-Castro group.

'FIDEL LITE'

Raul Castro has led the West's last communist state since July 2006 when his brother temporarily handed over power after undergoing intestinal surgery. Fidel Castro officially retired on Tuesday.

The U.S. administration has dubbed him "Fidel Lite" and criticized the leadership transition as the handing of power from one dictator to another.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday that Cuba needs to move toward democracy.

"We urge the Cuban government to begin a process of peaceful, democratic change by releasing all political prisoners, respecting human rights, and creating a clear pathway towards free and fair elections," she said in a statement before Raul Castro was confirmed as president.

A leftist icon in his army fatigues, cap and beard but oppressor of his people to his foes, Fidel Castro overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

He then survived assassination attempts, a CIA-backed invasion, the Soviet Union's collapse and a U.S. economic embargo to rule for almost half a century.

Since his operation, the charismatic 81-year-old leader has not been seen in public and television footage shows him to have grown frail and shuffling, posing in a Cuban athletic team tracksuit instead of his trademark fatigues.

He will continue to wield influence as the head of the Communist Party and by writing articles on world affairs in what he calls "the battle of ideas".

(Additional reporting by Marc Frank in Havana, Jeff Franks and Tom Brown in Miami , Editing by Michael Christie and Kieran Murray)