2007年VOA标准英语-Raul Castro Leads Cuba's Revolution Day Celebra

By Brian Wagner
Miami
26 July 2007

Cuba's acting¹ president, Raul Castro, Thursday led celebrations marking a 1953 rebel attack that helped launch the Cuban revolution. In Miami, VOA's Brian Wagner reports it was the first time in decades the ceremonies did not include aging leader Fidel Castro, who handed power to his brother nearly a year ago.

People wave Cuban flags during a ceremony to mark the 54th anniversary of the Revolution in Camaguey,  26 Jul 2007

Tens of thousands of people turned out in the eastern city of Camaguey, to hear a speech by Raul Castro marking one of the key dates on Cuba's calendar. Many supporters wore red shirts and waved the national flag or the red and black flag that symbolizes² the July 26 revolutionary movement.

The date marks a failed attack led by Raul and his brother Fidel against the Moncada army barracks in the eastern city of Santiago. Many rebels died in the botched uprising, and Fidel Castro was later captured and jailed. The attack, however, boosted Fidel's profile across the island and helped propel the revolutionary movement that toppled dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

Earlier this week, Cuban officials said Fidel Castro, who will turn 81 next month, would not appear at the annual celebrations, which he has led for decades. He has not been seen in public since undergoing stomach surgery nearly a year ago.

In his speech Thursday, Raul Castro criticized the United States for what he called its "failed and illegal" policies against Cuba. He said Cuba will be watching U.S. presidential elections next year, to see if a new administration will be open to dialogue with the Cuban government.

The 76-year-old army general said Cuba suffered a serious blow when his brother fell ill, but that the country never descended³ into the chaos⁴ Washington had predicted.

He said upcoming elections will be a new opportunity to show the force of Cuba's true democracy.

Cuba is to begin one-party elections in October, to select delegates who will later cast ballots⁵ for the government's top two posts, which are currently held by Fidel Castro. Analysts⁶ say it may be a key opportunity for top officials to confirm that, after 48 years in power, Fidel Castro is no longer in charge.

In Miami, many Cubans who sought to escape the Castro regime say there is little difference between Fidel and Raul.

One exile, Jesus, said Fidel has always provided the intellectual leadership of the revolution, but Raul can no longer rely on that because Fidel's health has declined.

Many Cuban exiles say that difficult conditions persist under Raul Castro, adding that little will change on the island until the Communist government falls.

1 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

2 symbolizes   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The use of light and dark symbolizes good and evil. 用光明与黑暗来象征善与恶。
• She likes olive because It'symbolizes peace. 她喜欢橄榄色因为它象征着和平。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。

4 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

5 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。