Fidel Castro Resigns As President of Cuba...

[Jack Daniels]

Fidel Castro Resigns As President Of Cuba
Created: 2/19/2008 2:26:01 AM
Last updated: 2/19/2008 2:40:21 AM


HAVANA (AP) -- Ailing leader Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president from nearly a half-century early Tuesday, saying in a letter published in online official media that he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.

"I will not aspire nor accept -- I repeat I will not aspire or accept, the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief," read a letter signed by Castro published quietly overnight without advance warning in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma.

The new National Assembly is meeting for first time Sunday since January elections to pick the governing Council of State, including the presidency Castro holds. There had been wide speculation about whether he would accept a nomination for re-election to that post or retire.

The 81-year-old Castro's overnight announcement effectively ends his rule of almost 50 years over Cuba, positioning his 76-year-old brother Raul for permanent succession to the presidency.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=140538

[Bleacher Creature]

I hope that our government will make every attempt at reaching out to Cuba in order to have a friendly relationship.

[B.A.]

A letter? I still say he's been dead for several months if not over a year.

The pussy couldn't even last 50 years.

[Schwahalala]

50 years -

Darn that's a long time to rule anything.

[Jeffro]

Raul's a bigger pain in the ass than Fidel these days; he had to be to corral the power base.

[jhanke]

my guess is that he is dead. other than that what happens now? How long can his brother keep it together?

[skippy05]

A letter? I still say he's been dead for several months if not over a year.

The pussy couldn't even last 50 years.

If he's dead, they need to announce it and soon; Castro's the captain of my Dead Pool team.

...and they definitely need to open that place up for American tourists...I lived in GTMO for two years and just that 9x12 mile piece of Cuba was gorgeous.

[Bleacher Creature]

I'm still hoping to vacation legally in Cuba pretty soon.

[B.A.]

...and they definitely need to open that place up for American tourists...I lived in GTMO for two years and just that 9x12 mile piece of Cuba was gorgeous.

Our embargo is retarded.

The inflow of cash from American tourists and businesses would kickstart change in the country for the better.

It would be a win-win for both populaces.

[hansolo]

Our embargo is retarded.

The inflow of cash from American tourists and businesses would kickstart change in the country for the better.

It would be a win-win for both populaces.

Nice to see a small segment of our population hold our foreign policy hostage eh?

[ChiTownBluesFan]

Nice to see a small segment of our population hold our foreign policy hostage eh?

Gotta have the illegal Cuban immigrant vote!!!!!

Oh, wait....

[Jack Daniels]

Cuban cigars for all!

[Iowa_Card]

Castro McGwired in his resignation?

Cool.

[JWB]

He resigned in disgrace because of this:

[B.A.]

Nice to see a small segment of our population hold our foreign policy hostage eh?

Enough time has passed that those people should realize how to best resolve this situation.