VOA常速英语2007年-Castro Hints at Retiring from Cuban Leadership

By Brian Wagner
Miami
18 December 2007

Ailing¹ Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in a letter read on national television he does not want to stay in power forever, suggesting he may retire from leadership. In Miami, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the comments were made ahead of nationwide elections that begin next month.

Cuban state television broadcast the comments from the 81-year-old Cuban leader, who has not been seen in public since undergoing intestinal² surgery in July 2006. A presenter³ read the letter, which Mr. Castro devoted⁴ mostly to the Bali summit on global warming.

He also said his duty is not to hold on to positions or block the path of younger people, but to share the experiences and ideas from his life.

Mr. Castro handed power to his brother, Raul, 16 months ago, and since then has written a series of essays and letters, including some where he says his physical recovery has been a difficult process. Officially, he remains⁵ head of Cuba's government.

Mr. Castro has been nominated to stand for re-election to the National Assembly in next month's election. Only as a member of the assembly he would be eligible⁶ to serve on the Council of State and as its president.

Fidel Castro is one of the world's most enduring heads of state, having served in that role since 1959.

1 ailing   

v.生病

参考例句：

• They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry. 他们讨论了困扰钢铁工业的问题。
• She looked after her ailing father. 她照顾有病的父亲。

2 intestinal   

adj.肠的；肠壁；肠道细菌

参考例句：

• A few other conditions are in high intestinal obstruction. 其它少数情况是高位肠梗阻。 来自辞典例句
• This complication has occasionally occurred following the use of intestinal antiseptics. 这种并发症偶而发生在使用肠道抗菌剂上。 来自辞典例句

3 presenter   

n.（电视、广播的）主持人，赠与者

参考例句：

• Most people think being a television presenter is exciting.很多人认为当电视节目主持人是一件刺激的事情。
• The programme dispensed with its most popular presenter.这个节目最受欢迎的主持人被换掉了。

4 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。