Discreet political transition underway in Cuba

HAVANA: Six months after Fidel Castro handed over the reins of power to undergo major surgery, the Cuban president's condition remains shrouded in secrecy, but a discreet political transition appears to be underway.

Dashing hopes in Washington and among anti-Castro exiles, there has been no massive clamor in the communist-run island for rapid reforms toward a market economy since Castro transferred power to his younger brother, Defense Minister Raul Castro in July.

As they get used to the idea that the bearded revolutionary who has led the country for five decades may soon no longer be with them, Cubans have been going about their daily routines as usual.

"Fidel has to die one day, but life goes on and the revolution continues," said retired factory Ivan Perez, 71, who professes deep admiration for Castro.

Cuba-watchers say the 80-year-old strongman had orchestrated himself the long-planned transition to his brother and a team of six prominent officials. "Power has been successfully transferred to a new set of leaders, whose priority is to preserve the system while permitting only gradual reform," Cuba expert Julia Sweig, wrote in the US-based Foreign Affairs journal.

The collective leadership has largely stayed in the background, and while it does tackle bread-and-butter issues, it is unlikely to make any major decisions as long as the 'father of the Cuban revolution' convalesces at an undisclosed location.

"We are in a political limbo," said Laura Pollan, a member of the 'Ladies in White' opposition group, formed of spouses of political prisoners. On the one hand, Fidel Castro is unable to fulfil his presidential functions, while on the other, his brother is yet to act as 'a true president' she said.

Other than a few brief televised appearances in which he appeared pale and frail, Fidel Castro has not been seen in public since July 26, the day before he underwent major intestinal surgery.   

Authorities have treated the president's health as a state secret, giving only few and vague medical updates, but leaving no doubt as to the gravity of his condition.

Castro's close friend and ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said last week the communist leader was battling for his life, and a US intelligence chief said earlier he was terminally ill and might have only weeks, or even days to live.

Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, a Spanish surgeon who visited Castro last month insisted, however, his health was improving. The Spanish daily El Pais had quoted doctors at the hospital where Garcia Sabrido works as saying Castro suffered intestinal hemorrhaging and a severe infection caused by inflammation of the large intestine, but the surgeon dismissed the report.

When he announced on July 31, in a statement read on his behalf by a newscaster, that he was handing over power to his brother and constitutional successor, Castro made it clear this was only a provisional measure.

Authorities now no longer insist the president will return to power but stress the revolution he launched with the 1959 ouster of Dictator Fulgencio Batista is alive and well.

Raul Castro, 75, who has lived in the shadow of his towering brother since the two fought alongside a small band of rebels in the hills of eastern Cuba, stressed the true successor was the Communist Party.

For now, the younger Castro appears to have focused mainly on some of the most pressing issues, and has demanded that authorities provide swift solutions rather than excuses for the shortcomings in such sectors as food production and public transportation.

Deeply frustrated by the rigors of making ends meet, Cubans are eager for change, but recognize it will be gradual and orchestrated by those Fidel has groomed to replace him, says Sweig.

Majority of Cubans have known no other president than Castro, who has thumbed his nose at 10 US presidents, and take an interest in every detail of life on the island.

But Raul Castro said the time had come to change the guard. "Whether we like it or not, we're already coming to the end of our duties," he said. "We have to yield to the new generations ... or continue to lead the way for the new generations - gradually, of course," he told university students last month.