Crian PadayacheeRaul Castro Cuba's New Leader and Fidel's Letter
February 28th 2008 01:20
Raul Castro has officially taken over as the new Cuban Head of State following the resignation of his elder brother Fidel.
The Cuban National Assembly of Popular Power unanimously selected Raul as President of Cuba on February 24th after he was the only candidate to be nominated for the post.
Raul fought side by side with his elder brother Fidel throughout the second half of the Twentieth Century and into the beginnings of the Twenty First leading the two brothers to share a very close and intrinsically linked political ideology.
The likely hood of Cuba transforming from a Communist state into a capitalistic state are minimal. Raul is often spoken of, especially in the United States, as the more pro-western of the two brothers but any drastic internal changes to the Cuban political system will most likely not take place until the time of Fidel’s death.
Fidel officially announced his retirement in the Cuban Communist Party’s official newspaper, the Granma. He wrote a letter to the people of Cuba explaining the reasons for his decision, giving thanks were appropriate and outlining to the Cuban people the new political writer/commentator role he will now take on.
Fidel's letter has been released to the global public and reads as follows:
‘Dear compatriots,
I held the honourable position of president for a period of many years... Before that I had held the post of prime minister for nearly 18 years. I always exercised the necessary prerogatives to carry forward our revolutionary work with the support of the vast majority of the people.
Knowing about my critical state of health, many people overseas thought that my provisional resignation from the post of president of the Council of State on 31 July 2006, leaving it in the hands of the First Vice-President, Raul Castro, was definitive. Raul himself, who also holds the post of minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces on his own merit, and my other comrades in the party leadership and the state, were reluctant to think of me removed from my posts despite my precarious state of health...
Preparing the people for my psychological and political absence was my primary obligation after so many years of struggle. I never ceased to say that we were dealing with a recuperation that was "not free from risk". My desire was always to carry out my duties until my final breath. That is what I have to offer.
To my close compatriots, who did me the immense honour in recent days of electing me as a member of parliament, I tell you that I will not aspire to or accept - I repeat - I will not aspire to or accept the post of president of the Council of State and commander-in-chief.
The path will always be difficult and will require the intelligent strength of all of us... Always prepare for the worst scenario. 'Be as prudent in success as you stand firm in adversity' is a principle that must not be forgotten. The adversary we must defeat is extremely strong, but we have kept him at bay for half a century.
I do not bid you farewell. My only wish is to fight as a soldier of ideas. I will continue to write under the title 'Reflections of comrade Fidel'. It will be another weapon in the arsenal on which you will be able to count. Perhaps my voice will be heard. I will be careful,’ Castro, 2008.
The Cuban National Assembly of Popular Power unanimously selected Raul as President of Cuba on February 24th after he was the only candidate to be nominated for the post.
Raul Castro
Raul fought side by side with his elder brother Fidel throughout the second half of the Twentieth Century and into the beginnings of the Twenty First leading the two brothers to share a very close and intrinsically linked political ideology.
The likely hood of Cuba transforming from a Communist state into a capitalistic state are minimal. Raul is often spoken of, especially in the United States, as the more pro-western of the two brothers but any drastic internal changes to the Cuban political system will most likely not take place until the time of Fidel’s death.
Raul Castro with Hugo Chavez - Interesting to note that Raul often wears suites rather than military uniform
Fidel officially announced his retirement in the Cuban Communist Party’s official newspaper, the Granma. He wrote a letter to the people of Cuba explaining the reasons for his decision, giving thanks were appropriate and outlining to the Cuban people the new political writer/commentator role he will now take on.
Fidel's letter has been released to the global public and reads as follows:
‘Dear compatriots,
I held the honourable position of president for a period of many years... Before that I had held the post of prime minister for nearly 18 years. I always exercised the necessary prerogatives to carry forward our revolutionary work with the support of the vast majority of the people.
Knowing about my critical state of health, many people overseas thought that my provisional resignation from the post of president of the Council of State on 31 July 2006, leaving it in the hands of the First Vice-President, Raul Castro, was definitive. Raul himself, who also holds the post of minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces on his own merit, and my other comrades in the party leadership and the state, were reluctant to think of me removed from my posts despite my precarious state of health...
Preparing the people for my psychological and political absence was my primary obligation after so many years of struggle. I never ceased to say that we were dealing with a recuperation that was "not free from risk". My desire was always to carry out my duties until my final breath. That is what I have to offer.
To my close compatriots, who did me the immense honour in recent days of electing me as a member of parliament, I tell you that I will not aspire to or accept - I repeat - I will not aspire to or accept the post of president of the Council of State and commander-in-chief.
The path will always be difficult and will require the intelligent strength of all of us... Always prepare for the worst scenario. 'Be as prudent in success as you stand firm in adversity' is a principle that must not be forgotten. The adversary we must defeat is extremely strong, but we have kept him at bay for half a century.
I do not bid you farewell. My only wish is to fight as a soldier of ideas. I will continue to write under the title 'Reflections of comrade Fidel'. It will be another weapon in the arsenal on which you will be able to count. Perhaps my voice will be heard. I will be careful,’ Castro, 2008.
| 71 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak