Castro: I quit as party leader five years ago

[dipsydoodle]

Former Cuban president says he gave up all official duties, including Communist Party leadership, in 2006.

Fidel Castro has finally confirmed his resignation as head of Cuba''s Communist Party, five years after quitting the post.

Castro, 84, retreated from public life and ceded most of his duties to his brother, Raul Castro, when he underwent emergency intestinal surgery in 2006.

He officially handed the country''s presidency to his brother, Raul Castro, in February 2008, having led the Caribbean nation since the 1959 revolution that brought him to power.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/03/2011322181040341439.html

[naaman fletcher]

1. How is party leader selected?

Is there a vote?

[dipsydoodle]

3. No idea

but I'd say as one of the main original revolutionaries Raul was certainly an appropriate choice assuming it to be him.

Its an internal matter anyway and maybe one they just don't broadcast.

[Judi Lynn]

6. I'm sure they've got it figured out by now, or it would resemble a fire in a crowded theater

at election time.

And we all know no one's keeping 11,000,000 people hostage without a system which allows them to choose their officials.

[Judi Lynn]

2. He was doing poorly before he finally got sick. I recall seeing photos, and reading

articles describing horror and dismay among the crowd members when he gave a long speech in the boiling Havana summer sun, and passed out. People were deeply disturbed, some people even crying.

It was really time for him to start backing away from that job which engulfed so much of his life, from the early days when he tried to bring change politically, stirring things up in Havana, going to jail, then ducking bullets for years as the revolution grew, while so many of his friends were tortured and murdered by Batista.

Very few Presidents have given this much of themselves to bring their societies out from under the filthy grip of a mega monster supported by the fat cats in Washington.

Thanks, dipsydoodle!

He's earned his retirement.

[dipsydoodle]

4. I suppose I should've realised

when a friend asked me to get him a tee shirt with Fidel on it in Cuba that no such thing would exist there.

Now that's what you call "deep respect"

Different with Ernesto of course who appropriately remains a national hero.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Very interesting. Absolutely. I guess he could get a photo transferred to a shirt

in his own town, but he won't be getting one from Cuba.

That's a nice thought, really.

[dipsydoodle]

7. In the end

I decided I wouldn't buy one here at home either where they are available.

I talked him into having a Che one instead and got that here for him recently. :)

[Judi Lynn]

8. Ha. Good one. I don't suppose they'll ever have a Batista t-shirt! n/t

[dipsydoodle]

14. I've got one of those

:rofl:

[Billy Burnett]

9. Doesn't matter what F. Castro says to the Cubaphobes.

They INSIST that Fidel is still in charge. :crazy:

:hi:

[EFerrari]

10. Just like George Soros funds everything.

lol

[Billy Burnett]

11. Except that George Soros isn't dead.

Fidel Castro still strong at the helm of Cuba.


:rofl:

[EFerrari]

12. LOL

:rofl:

[Billy Burnett]

13. I knew you'd like that.

A real psycho knee slapper. He's dead AND in charge.


Havana, Jan 7 1959