Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jesus!!
 

By Anthony Boadle
HAVANA, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro stepped down on Tuesday 49 years after taking power in an armed revolution, closing the book on a Cold War career that made him an icon to leftists and a tyrant to his foes.

Castro, 81, who has not appeared in public since undergoing stomach surgery almost 19 months ago, said he would not seek a new term as president or as leader of Cuba's armed forces when the National Assembly meets on Sunday.

His retirement raised expectations for change on the communist island -- and calls for democracy by Castro's arch-enemy, the United States -- but Cuba experts said limited economic reforms were more likely than swift political transformation.

"I will not aspire to or accept -- I repeat not aspire to or accept -- the positions of president of the Council of State and commander-in-chief," Castro said in a statement published in the Communist Party's Granma newspaper.
U.S. President George W. Bush, who has tightened the decades-old economic embargo against Castro's government, said his retirement should begin a democratic transition.
"Eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections. And I mean free and I mean fair," Bush said in Rwanda during a tour of Africa.
Cuba's National Assembly, a rubber-stamp legislature, is expected to nominate Castro's brother and designated successor Raul Castro, 76, as president. The defense minister has been running the country since emergency surgery forced his older brother to delegate power on July 31, 2006. Continued...


http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCan...25995520080219

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

I'll believe the "free and fair elections" when I see it.

We can't even get that here most of the time...

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

And the US is affected by this?????

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

Its about time and I am thankful.....

Now lets just wait on Christopher to chime in on this one... he is our new political guru yes indeed... I am sure he will have much to add to this ;) ROFL Lord help us all!

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

Shame on you Ronzo, you are sounding like a commie Canadian!:happydance

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

How about we just call me a realist instead, ok you commie canuck? :toofunny

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

Well isnt this new guy taking over his brother? ( I havent read or seen much about it yet just heard it briefly on the radio earlier) If so I dont think there will be that huge of a difference

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

The only good thing to come out of Cuba is its cigars.....

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

Reality-what a concept!:toofunny

Re: Fidel Steps Down from Power .... Thank you Jes
 

This is a great opportunity for the Gospel to infiltrate the island like never before ... there have been some success stories thus far ... but the possibilities are great.