BBC News - Cuba President Raul Castro seeks 10-year term limits 1 de 4

17 April 2011 Last updated at 03:20 GMT

COMMENTS (30)

Cuban President Raul Castro has said top political positions should be limited to two five-year
terms, and promised "systematic rejuvenation" of the government.

President Castro was speaking at the start of the first congress of Cuba's ruling Communist Party in 14
years.

He said the party leadership was in need of renewal and should subject itself to severe self-criticism.

The proposal is unprecedented under Cuban communism.

Mr Castro, 79, made clear the limits would apply to himself.

He took over from his brother Fidel in 2008 and between them they have ruled Cuba for 52 years.

He acknowledged that "the confidence of the majority of Cubans had been tested, with regard to the
party and the revolution".

Cubans, he said, would have to overcome a "mentality of inertia" and said the only thing that could
threaten the revolution was "our inability to rectify errors".

His brother and former leader Fidel Castro, now 84, missed the day's events. He said he regretted his
absence but felt proud of the congress and the military parade that preceded it.

Economic change
In his speech, Raul Castro said the limit of two consecutive five-year terms would apply to "the current
president of the Council of State and his ministers" - a reference to himself.

Much of what he said concerned his plans to reduce the role of the state in the economy and encourage
private enterprise.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13107318?print=true 20/4/2011 09:14

BBC News - Cuba President Raul Castro seeks 10-year term limits 2 de 4

It would take at least five years to update Cuba's economic model, Mr Castro said.

Free education and healthcare would still be guaranteed, but mass subsidies of basic goods would be
removed and social spending would be "rationalised".

Mr Castro said 200,000 people had already registered as self-employed since changes were announced
last October, doubling the number of Cubans working for themselves.

But he insisted the socialist character of Cuba would be "irreversible" and accumulation of property
would not be allowed.

The Communist Party Congress was preceded by a one of the largest military parades Cuba has seen in
years, marking the 50th anniversary of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion by US-backed exile groups.

Troops and armoured vehicles paraded through Havana's Revolution Square, followed by hundreds of
thousands of civilians waving flags and chanting slogans.

The parade and congress also celebrate 50 years since Fidel Castro proclaimed that his was a socialist
revolution.

In 1961, Cuban exile groups armed and trained by the American CIA came ashore at the Bay of Pigs,
100 miles (160 km) southeast of Havana, in an attempt to overthrow him.

But after 72 hours of combat the invasion was defeated, in what Cuba celebrates as the "first great
defeat for US imperialism in Latin America".

Raul Castro, who is a general, donned military fatigues for the parade.

Fidel Castro 'pride'

There was no sign of Raul Castro's brother, the revolutionary leader and former President Fidel Castro,
who is now 84 years old.

But remarks attributed to him appeared later on the Cubadebate website, in which he spoke of a "feeling
of pride" at the day's events.

"It's worth to have lived to see that show today and it's worth always to remember those who gave their
life to make it possible," he was quoted as saying.

He said he could not have coped with the heat for more than an hour, but regretted being unable to
attend.

"Believe me, I felt myself ashamed when I saw some of you looking for me," he said.

"I thought you would understand I can no longer do any more what I've done many times."

The four-day party congress is expected to see 1,000 delegates back all or part of a package of nearly
300 reforms.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13107318?print=true 20/4/2011 09:14

BBC News - Cuba President Raul Castro seeks 10-year term limits 3 de 4

It will also elect a new 100-member central committee, a 19-member politburo and a 10-member
secretariat.

Your comments (30)

This entry is now closed for comments

All Comments (30)

30. threepesos
18TH ABRIL 2011 - 3:05 +3

For 2cents, one final comment on your post, I will not sink to name calling,
insults or sarcasm. My remarks come from personal experience. To put
the record straight I have been fortunate enough to have lived and studied
in Cuba, to have seen both the touristy side and have lived among some
wonderful people, who, are some of the best and selfless people I have
ever met.

No further comment.

29. threepesos
18TH ABRIL 2011 - 2:09 +3

For 2cents, thank you for your comment, your knowledge of the subject is
somewhat lacking, rudimentry health care, the facts will tell you that Cuba
has a lower infant mortality rate than where you live. ELAM, Operation
Miracle, etc. are but a few of the good things that Cuba does, FREE! and
your donation to Haiti was what exactly?

28. Steve_EL
17TH ABRIL 2011 - 22:35 0

wow sounds great place to live this Cuba , they must be overwhelmed
with immigrants what with the nice climate, free healthcare, benevolent
government, jobs for everyone. Who needs multi party politics, a free
press, frreedom to travel abroad or more that $20 a week to live on.

27. vb
17TH ABRIL 2011 - 21:26 +1

As Fidel has said once "Cuba is perhaps the most free nation in the
world". I would like to agree as in what other country can the people voice
their thoughts and concerns and then have the constitution change as a
direct result? This, readers, is direct democracy from the people and to
all those who are interested in world affairs and Cuba need to start
educatingthemselves before judging millions

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13107318?print=true 20/4/2011 09:14

BBC News - Cuba President Raul Castro seeks 10-year term limits 4 de 4

26. vb
17TH ABRIL 2011 - 21:23 +1

Reading some of these very brainwashed comments makes me very sad

as a human who has great respect for a country who gave the most basic
rights to all of its people, whose country defended a countries sovereignty
and liberated another in Africa while fighting Apartheid armies supported
by the west. On top of all this they have confronted an blockade and not
embargo, as affirmed by the UN.

Comments 5 of 30 Show More

Sign in or register to comment and rate comments

Fidel at Cuba congress with Raul

[/news/world-latin-america-13133130]
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro appears publicly with younger brother Raul for the first time since handing over power to him five
years ago.
Brazil police hunt 'drug lord'
[/news/world-latin-america-13137137]
Rio school shooting pupils return
[/news/world-latin-america-13124814]

BBC © 2011 The BBC is not responsible for the content

of external sites. Read more.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13107318?print=true 20/4/2011 09:14