VOA常速英语2008年-Defense Experience May Help Raul Castro As Next

By Brian Wagner
Miami
20 February 2008

Cuban leaders are expected to name Raul Castro as the next president, replacing his older brother Fidel. In Miami, VOA's Brian Wagner reports that, as defense¹ minister, Raul has wide experience with the nation's economy and key government institutions.

The resignation of Fidel Castro concludes the term of one of the world's longest-serving heads of state. It also poses new challenges for the island's communist government as it struggles to address growing frustration² among many Cubans about the economy and social institutions.

Since undergoing intestinal³ surgery more than 18 months ago, Mr. Castro has not been seen in public. Andy Gomez, senior fellow at the University of Miami, says Fidel Castro may have been nudged by the insiders to step down.

"Cuba's inner circle could have possibly asked him [Fidel], it was in the best interests of the Cuban regime and the Cuban revolution, for him to step aside," he said.

Mr. Castro chose his brother, Raul, in July 2006 to serve as interim⁴ president while he recovered. Now, analysts⁵ say Raul, who also serves as defense minister, will be chosen to become the next Cuban president by the 31-member Council of State that meets on Sunday.

If named as president, Raul will bring different skills to the office than his 81-year-old brother, says Frank Mora, professor of security strategy at the National War College in Washington.

"There will be less ideology⁶ and more pragmatism as to how institutions work," he said.

Mora notes that Fidel Castro was famous for giving long speeches that attacked Cuba's enemies and defended the government's communist ideals. In contrast, he says, Raul has given only one major speech as interim leader and it focused on improving bureaucratic⁷ efficiency.

The 76-year-old defense chief is also known for working closely with top advisers⁸ on policy decisions, says Phil Peters, Cuba expert at the Lexington Institute near Washington D.C.

"His reputation is that he works collegially. He is in charge and he makes decisions. But he works collegially, listens to people and solicits⁹ opinions and likes to hear before he decides," he said.

In recent months, Raul also has welcomed public debate about ways to address corruption¹⁰, government inefficiency¹¹ and economic inequality.

Cuban officials have encouraged similar discussions in the past, but Peters says earlier efforts resulted in few real changes. Peters says Raul's latest call for reform seems to be different.

"The fact is that he as a politician has raised expectations to a large degree that he is going to change economic policy. And 2008 is the year we are going to get the answer, either he is going to deliver, or he is going to disappoint," he said.

Raul's experience as military chief for the last four decades may help him speed up economic reforms on the island. A chief source of Cuba's political power, the military is wielding¹² a growing influence on key industries.

Frank Mora says Raul Castro also has overseen¹³ a military-led program aimed at boosting economic efficiency across the nation.

"And as a result the profile, the influence of the military in the economic sectors¹⁴, particularly the most dynamic ones, like tourism, is pretty prevalent," she said.

Experts say Raul's economic reform plan may help improve conditions for many Cubans, but it is unlikely to change relations with the United States. U.S. officials have echoed the sentiment, saying they do not expect U.S. sanctions against Cuba to be lifted anytime soon.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

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 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

5 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。

6 ideology   

n.意识形态，(政治或社会的)思想意识

参考例句：

• The ideology has great influence in the world.这种思想体系在世界上有很大的影响。
• The ideal is to strike a medium between ideology and inspiration.我的理想是在意识思想和灵感鼓动之间找到一个折衷。

7 bureaucratic   

adj.官僚的，繁文缛节的

参考例句：

• The sweat of labour washed away his bureaucratic airs.劳动的汗水冲掉了他身上的官气。
• In this company you have to go through complex bureaucratic procedures just to get a new pencil.在这个公司里即使是领一支新铅笔，也必须通过繁琐的手续。

8 advisers   

顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• a member of the President's favoured circle of advisers 总统宠爱的顾问班子中的一员
• She withdrew to confer with her advisers before announcing a decision. 她先去请教顾问然后再宣布决定。

9 solicits   

恳请

参考例句：

• They were planning to solicit funds from a number of organizations. 他们正计划向一些机构募集资金。
• May I solicit your advice on a matter of some importance? 我有一件要事可以请教你吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

11 inefficiency   

n.无效率，无能；无效率事例

参考例句：

• Conflict between management and workers makes for inefficiency in the workplace. 资方与工人之间的冲突使得工厂生产效率很低。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This type of inefficiency arises because workers and management are ill-equipped. 出现此种低效率是因为工人与管理层都能力不足。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 wielding   

手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的现在分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响）

参考例句：

• The rebels were wielding sticks of dynamite. 叛乱分子舞动着棒状炸药。
• He is wielding a knife. 他在挥舞着一把刀。

13 overseen   

v.监督，监视( oversee的过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was overseen stealing the letters. 他被人撞见在偷信件。 来自辞典例句
• It will be overseen by ThomasLi, director of IBM China Research Laboratory. 该实验室由IBM中国研究院院长李实恭(ThomasLi)引导。 来自互联网

14 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》