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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Washington
19 February 2008
Reaction from around the world to the retirement1 of Cuban President Fidel Castro has been mixed and cautious. From Washington, VOA's Michael Bowman reports.
Fidel Castro's retirement formally ends the rule of the world's longest-serving leader. But it is hardly unexpected; the 81-year-old Mr. Castro has not been seen in public for more than a year and a half, and he recently wrote that he would not "cling to power."
For more than four decades, U.S. policy has stood in opposition2 to Mr. Castro's communist rule. Yet there was no hint of triumphant3 jubilation4 in President Bush's voice as he reacted to news that the long-standing U.S. nemesis5 is stepping down.
Mr. Bush seemed focused on Cuba's road ahead as he spoke6 during a visit to Rwanda. "I believe that the change from Fidel Castro ought to begin a period of democratic transition," he said. "The first step, of course, will be for people [Cuban dissidents] put in these prisons to be let out."
The president added that the political transition in Cuba should lead to genuinely free and fair elections.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was asked if the end of Fidel Castro's rule would prompt an end to the decades-old U.S. trade embargo7 of Cuba. Mr. Negroponte said he cannot imagine that happening anytime soon.
Elsewhere, a European Union spokesman John Clancy is quoted as saying the bloc8 will encourage a peaceful transition to pluralistic democracy in Cuba, and is willing to engage with Cuba in constructive9 dialogue to that end.
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen says Fidel Castro will not be missed, while Sweden's foreign minister Carl Bildt says Mr. Castro's departure marks the end of an era that began with freedom and ended with oppression.
But a spokesman for Vietnam's foreign ministry10 praised Mr. Castro as a great friend, comrade, and very close brother, while the leader of Russia's Communist Party hailed him as a fantastic political leader who hosted high the flag of freedom.
Mr. Castro's younger brother, Raul, temporarily took the reins11 of power in 2006 when the elder Castro underwent emergency gastrointestinal surgery, and many Cuba-watchers expect Raul Castro will succeed his brother as president.
Spanish foreign ministry officials are quoted as saying they believe Raul's ascension to power will allow him to undertake reforms on the island. Raul Castro has spoken of economic liberalization and pursuing a possible thaw12 in relations with the United States.
Some dissidents in Cuba appear cautiously optimistic about the future. Eloy Gutierrez-Menoyo, a former Cuban exile, says he has hope that economic and political change can be accomplished13 without destabilization.
The dissident says that any change in Cuba will be positive, mainly if people understand that democracy comes from diversity.
1 retirement | |
n.退休,退职 | |
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2 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
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3 triumphant | |
adj.胜利的,成功的;狂欢的,喜悦的 | |
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4 jubilation | |
n.欢庆,喜悦 | |
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5 nemesis | |
n.给以报应者,复仇者,难以对付的敌手 | |
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6 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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7 embargo | |
n.禁运(令);vt.对...实行禁运,禁止(通商) | |
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8 bloc | |
n.集团;联盟 | |
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9 constructive | |
adj.建设的,建设性的 | |
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10 ministry | |
n.(政府的)部;牧师 | |
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11 reins | |
感情,激情; 缰( rein的名词复数 ); 控制手段; 掌管; (成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的)保护带 | |
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12 thaw | |
v.(使)融化,(使)变得友善;n.融化,缓和 | |
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13 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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