Fidel Castro clarifies his resignation
Por Manuel Alberto Ramy
In the Reflection published Tuesday, Fidel Castro said he resigned, “without hesitation, all my state and political positions, including that of First Secretary of the Party, when I became ill […] although everyone continued to affectionately address me in that manner.”
This statement has had great impact in the international media. Today, Wednesday, the leader of the Cuban process takes advantage of the publication of a new Reflection to make some clarifications on the subject. While Progreso Weekly is publishing in the section “In Cuba” the full text of this Reflection, it seemed to me timely to draw from the same the paragraphs devoted to the topic that caused the commotion.
“I saw in the first place that, because of my reflections, the cables had given importance to what I had said about my position as First Party Secretary and I shall explain as briefly as possible. Concentrating on Barack Obama’s ‘Partnership of Equals,’ a matter of so much historical importance – I say that seriously – I didn’t even remember that next month the Party Congress would be taking place.
“My position on the subject was basically logical. Once I understood the seriousness of my state of health, I did what I thought, in my opinion, wasn’t necessary when I had that painful accident in Santa Clara; after the fall, treatment was tough, but my life was not in danger.
“On the other hand, when I wrote the Proclamation on the 31st of July, it was clear to me that the state of my health was extremely critical.
“I immediately set aside all my public duties, adding to the proclamation some instructions to provide security and tranquility for the population.
“It wasn’t necessary to specifically step down from each one of my duties.
“For me, my most important duty was that of First Party Secretary. Because of ideology and on principle, in a revolutionary stage, that political position carries the highest authority. The other position I held was that of President of the Council of State and Government, elected by the National Assembly. Both posts had replacements, and not by virtue of some family connection, something I have never considered to be the source of right, but due to experience and merit.
“The rank of Commander in Chief had been granted me by the struggle itself, a matter of chance more than because of any personal merit. The Revolution itself, in a subsequent stage, correctly designated headship of all armed institutions to the president, a function that in my opinion, ought to fall to the First Party Secretary. I consider that that’s how a country such as Cuba should be, having had to face an obstacle as considerable as the empire created by the United States.
“Almost 14 years went by since the previous Party Congress; they coincided with the disappearance of the USSR, the socialist bloc, the Special Period and my own illness.
“When gradually and partially my health was recovered, the idea didn’t even cross my mind about the need to proceed formally in order to expressly resign from any position. At that time, I accepted the honor of being elected as Deputy to the National Assembly, something that did not demand my physical presence and with which I might share my ideas.
“Since I have more time than ever now to observe, to inform myself and to lay out certain points of view, I shall modestly fulfill my duty to fight for the ideas I have defended throughout my modest life.
“I beg readers to forgive the time I have spent in this explanation that the above-mentioned circumstances forced me to undertake.”
Here ends the excerpt related to the commotion. To me, offhand, there are two clear conclusions:
• He supports Raúl Castro outright and considers him fully capable of dealing with his responsibilities.
• In Fidel Castro’s opinion, there should be no separation between the posts of First Secretary, President of Government, and Chief of the Armed Forces. This opinion has weight and will weigh during the Party event.
