VOA常速英语2008年-Analysts Say Cuban Leader Castro's Retirement O

By Brian Wagner
Miami
19 February 2008

The resignation of Cuban leader Fidel Castro may open the door for his brother, Raul, to officially take over the communist government. VOA's Brian Wagner has this report from Miami.

The announcement by Fidel Castro comes only days before officials are to select the island's top ruling body, the Council of State. The 81-year-old leader is expected to remain on the 31-member ruling council, but says he will not compete for the top post.

Cuban state television read a letter from Mr. Castro in which he said he is physically¹ unable to fulfill² the duties of president.

In the letter, Mr. Castro says he will not seek and will not accept the post of president and commander-in-chief.

For months, Mr. Castro's failing health has raised questions about the political future of the island and the man who ruled it for nearly 50 years. The Cuban president underwent intestinal³ surgery in July 2006, and handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul.

Many analysts⁴ say Raul, 76, is the most likely to succeed Fidel Castro as Cuba's president and would retain many of his older brother's political and economic policies.

In Miami, critics of the Cuban government welcomed the news of Mr. Castro's resignation early Tuesday.

Democracy activist⁵ Ramon Saul Sanchez said the announcement is good news for advocates of democratic change in Cuba.

"Frankly⁶ the fact that Castro has ceded⁷ all political powers at this point is an inspiration not only to us but to those inside of Cuba, the elements of change within the regime itself, that want to see some other direction for the country," he said.

Sanchez says he does not believe a transition to Raul Castro will bring immediate⁸ change to the lives of Cuba's 11 million people. But he says pressure for broad reform on the next Cuban leader, from inside Cuba and outside, will grow.

"This is the beginning of a new direction, probably a first step in a new direction, that could end up in more reforms," said Sanchez.

Earlier, President Bush said the international community should work with Cuba's people to bring about a democratic transition on the island.

1 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

2 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

3 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

4 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。

5 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

6 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

7 ceded   

v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的过去式 )

参考例句：

• Cuba was ceded by Spain to the US in 1898. 古巴在1898年被西班牙割让给美国。
• A third of the territory was ceded to France. 领土的三分之一割让给了法国。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。