February
19, 2008
Fidel
Castro announces resignation
The Press Association
Cubans
woke up to the news that president Fidel Castro has resigned after
49 years in power.
Havana's streets were quiet, and there was no movement at several
party-run neighbourhood watch groups - known as Revolutionary
Defence Committees - in Old Havana.
Official radio
began reading Castro's message to early risers across the island
from 5am (10am UK time) - several hours after it was posted on
the internet.
US President
George Bush was notified of Castro's resignation by his national
security adviser while travelling in Africa, his spokesman Gordon
Johndroe said.
The ailing
81-year-old president has not been seen in public since he temporarily
ceded his powers to his 76-year-old brother Raul in July 2006,
after announcing he had undergone intestinal surgery.
Castro said Cuban officials had wanted him to remain
in power after his surgery. "It was an uncomfortable situation
for me vis-a-vis an adversary that had done everything possible
to get rid of me, and I felt reluctant to comply," he said,
referring to the US.
"My wishes
have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath. That's
what I can offer," Castro wrote. But, he continued: "It
would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility
requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able
to offer. This I say devoid of all drama."
The resignation
opens the path for Raul Castro's succession to the presidency,
and the full autonomy he has lacked in leading a caretaker government.
The younger Castro has raised expectations among Cubans for modest
economic and other reforms, stating last year that the country
requires unspecified "structural changes" and acknowledging
government wages averaging about 19 US dollars (£9) a month
do not satisfy basic needs.
As first vice-president of Cuba's Council of State, Raul Castro
was his brother's constitutionally-designated successor and appears
to be a shoo-in for the presidential post when the council meets
on Sunday.
Copyright
2008. The Press Association. All rights reserved.
