Castro's party plans family dynasty

CUBA
Castro's party plans family dynasty
Patrick Lescot
Wed, 16 Aug 2006

Cuba's ruling Communist Party on Tuesday vowed that the revolution
launched almost 48 years ago by the now 80-year-old and ailing Fidel
Castro would continue under the leadership of his brother Raul.

The statement, published by the state-run newspaper Granma, came after
Cubans saw the first photographs and video footage of the communist
strongman since he announced on July 31 that he had undergone intestinal
surgery and ceded power to Raul Castro, 75.

Authorities have stressed the handover was only temporary, but they also
appear to be preparing Cubans for an eventual transition.

Rolando Alfonso, who heads the Communist Party's ideological department,
wrote in Granma that Cubans were ready to defend the revolution "under
the guidance of the party" and "the firm leadership of Raul."

"Recover, commander," he said in reference to Castro, adding: "Our
people are guarantors, and you know it, that the revolution is here to
stay."

On Sunday, when he turned 80, Castro said in a statement that although
he was recovering, he was not out of danger. He urged Cubans to remain
both optimistic and prepared for possible "bad news."

Sunday's statement was published together with the first photographs of
the Cuban leader recovering from surgery. Another set of pictures was
released on Monday, when Cuban television also aired video footage
showing the bed-ridden Castro looking tired but upbeat during a birthday
visit by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Castro was seen writing, eating yoghurt, talking and joking with Chavez
and with his brother and constitutionally designated successor.

Several people expressed certainty that Castro would recover fully

Several people interviewed in the Cuban capital expressed certainty that
Castro, who has led Cuba since 1959, would recover fully.

"Sure, it's the first time I've seen Fidel in bed in all my 44 years,
but he looked good and I think he'll soon be back at work," Jorge Luis
Ramos told AFP outside his arts and crafts shop in downtown Havana.

"The images are very good," said retail store worker Moraima Santos, 62.
"Fidel is happy, he's a very strong man and he'll recover quickly.
Sometimes we Cubans think Fidel will live forever, but now we're finding
out he is only mortal, that he's after all flesh and bones."

In Miami, the mood was subdued among Cuban exiles, some of whom had
danced in the streets on July 31 after learning of Castro's ill health.

"Only God knows when he will die, he looked very well considering he had
an operation," said Orlando Perez, 79, chatting with friends at the
Versailles restaurant — a notorious gathering spot for anti-Castro
exiles — in Little Havana on Tuesday.

"There was excitement at first, but after a week everything returns to
normal," said Perez. Talk at the restaurant quickly turned back to
baseball, vacations and business.

Us administration declined to comment

The US administration has declined to comment on Castro's condition
after the release of the pictures, but scoffed at the Chavez visit.

"I know President Chavez has made it a point to try to develop a very
close relationship with Fidel Castro," said State Department
spokesperson Sean McCormack.

"That is his decision. I'm not sure that that's something that really
burnishes his democratic credentials, but that's his decision to make,"
he said when asked about the birthday visit.

Meanwhile, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias reiterated his call for a
democratic transition in Cuba.

"I advocate a change of regime, not a monarchal succession," said Arias,
who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to pacify
turmoil-torn Central America.

AFP

http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/930510.htm