2006年VOA标准英语-Castro's Ill Health Forces Unprecedented Transf

By Peter Fedynsky
Washington, DC
02 August 2006
 
watch Castro Health report

For the first time in nearly 48 years, Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has relinquished¹ absolute power as president of the communist nation.  Castro's faltering² health forced the move.  He underwent surgery for intestinal³ bleeding on Monday, but expects to return to power after recovery.   As VOA's Peter Fedynsky reports, Cuba is still ruled by a Castro - Fidel's brother, Raul.

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Fidel Castro speaks to thousands of people on International Workers Day, May 1, 2006 in Havana   
  
Fidel Castro issued a letter read on state television by his secretary. It said sustained intestinal bleeding obligated him to undergo what he described as a complicated surgical⁴ procedure, which requires several weeks of rest.  The Cuban leader said the health crisis was provoked by severe stress because of a heavy work schedule during recent trips to Argentina and eastern Cuba.

He also asked that his 80th birthday celebration scheduled for August 13th, be postponed⁵ until December second. That is the 50th anniversary of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Fidel Castro named his 75-year-old brother Raul as temporary leader of the Cuban government, military and Communist Party.  Raul Castro has served as defense⁶ minister, and second in command of the Communist Party and Council of State, Cuba's Supreme⁷ governing body. 

Like his brother, Raul Castro is a communist hard-liner who recognizes the Party as the only source of power in Cuba.  But the younger Castro also has promoted free-enterprise farmers' markets and suggested the communist system could be reformed. 

Thousands of Cuban immigrants who fled Fidel Castro's authoritarian⁸ rule poured into the streets of Miami, Florida to celebrate what many believe to be the dictator's demise⁹.

"My grandfather's a political prisoner and I came here when I was a baby and this is the happiest day of my life because that means I'm going to be able to see my country, Cuba," said one celebrant.

  
A woman flies the Cuban flag from her vehicle as she drives in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood Tuesday
 
  
Others said: "Cuba is for Cubans!" "It may mark the beginning of a change in Cuba, which is what we all want."

In Cuba, people expressed shock over the ill health of the only leader most of them have ever known.  "It's a shame Fidel is sick. As a Cuban I feel it deeply. I want him to get well soon and go on. This will continue just the same; this is communism."

"My Commandant will last a long time because he is good. Of course, he has to last,” said a woman.

After nearly 48 years in power, Fidel Castro's health appears to be deteriorating¹⁰.   He fainted during a public address in 2001.  Two years ago, he tripped and broke his kneecap and right arm.  Last year, he dismissed a U.S. intelligence report that he is suffering from Parkinson's disease.  But Mr. Castro has promised to step down if he becomes too ill to govern.

1 relinquished   

交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃

参考例句：

• She has relinquished the post to her cousin, Sir Edward. 她把职位让给了表弟爱德华爵士。
• The small dog relinquished his bone to the big dog. 小狗把它的骨头让给那只大狗。

2 faltering   

犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的

参考例句：

• The economy shows no signs of faltering. 经济没有衰退的迹象。
• I canfeel my legs faltering. 我感到我的腿在颤抖。

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 surgical   

adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的

参考例句：

• He performs the surgical operations at the Red Cross Hospital.他在红十字会医院做外科手术。
• All surgical instruments must be sterilised before use.所有的外科手术器械在使用之前，必须消毒。

5 postponed   

vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发）

参考例句：

• The trial was postponed indefinitely. 审讯无限期延迟。
• The game has already been postponed three times. 这场比赛已经三度延期了。

6 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。

7 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

8 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

9 demise   

n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让

参考例句：

• He praised the union's aims but predicted its early demise.他赞扬协会的目标，但预期这一协会很快会消亡。
• The war brought about the industry's sudden demise.战争道致这个行业就这么突然垮了。

10 deteriorating   

恶化，变坏( deteriorate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The weather conditions are deteriorating. 天气变得越来越糟。
• I was well aware of the bad morale and the deteriorating factories. 我很清楚，大家情绪低落，各个工厂越搞越坏。