2006年VOA标准英语-Castro Said to Be In Stable Condition

By Lisa Ferdinando
Miami
02 August 2006

The Cuban government has released a statement from President Fidel Castro saying his heath is stable and he is in good spirits after intestinal¹ surgery.   News of the president's ill health has sparked big celebrations in Miami, where the city's sizable Cuban exile community continues to hope for democracy on the island.

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Fidel Castro (file photo)   
  
The statement from Mr. Castro was read by an announcer on Cuban television Tuesday.  The 79-year-old Communist leader, according to the statement, says his health is stable and the defense² of Cuba is assured.  Mr. Castro also thanked his well-wishers and said he needs time to recover.  The statement went on to say that specifics about the president's condition are a state secret due to the threat posed by the United States.

The news of Mr. Castro's ill health and the transfer of power to his younger brother, Defense Minister Raul Castro, came late Monday, and triggered an eruption³ of celebrations in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood.

The festive⁴ mood continues, with motorists honking⁵ horns, playing music and waving Cuban flags.
 
  
Cuban-American Pedro Olivera Montane shouts anti-Castro slogans in the Little Havana section of Miami 
  
The exiles have long sought democracy and freedom for the island, and are hoping that political change is in Cuba's near future.

Martha Menendez was among those that lined part of Calle Ocho, the main street of Miami's Little Havana, Tuesday evening.

"I'm hoping for the freedom of Cuba, and I don't wish death to anyone, but enough is enough," she said.

Emilio Cobos says too many Cubans have died trying to flee the island by boat to reach the United States.  He says he wishes for Cuba to return to the way it was before Mr. Castro took power.

"My dream is that Cuba will be free like it is the United States and the United States will be able to help Cuba to rebuild Cuba again," he said.

Detective Delrish Moss⁶ with the Miami Police Department says the demonstrations⁷ were peaceful and people are full of expectations.

"We're in the wait and see mode, but everyone in Miami is waiting on bated breath to see what is actually happening there," he noted⁸.

He says in the event of Castro's death, the city expects large and spontaneous, but peaceful demonstrations.

1 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

2 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。

3 eruption   

n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作

参考例句：

• The temple was destroyed in the violent eruption of 1470 BC.庙宇在公元前1470年猛烈的火山爆发中摧毁了。
• The eruption of a volcano is spontaneous.火山的爆发是自发的。

4 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

5 honking   

v.（使）发出雁叫似的声音，鸣（喇叭），按（喇叭）( honk的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Cars zoomed helter-skelter, honking belligerently. 大街上来往车辆穿梭不停，喇叭声刺耳。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Flocks of honking geese flew past. 雁群嗷嗷地飞过。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 moss   

n.苔，藓，地衣

参考例句：

• Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。
• He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。

7 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。