Raul Castro: Be patient, there is a place for young leaders in government _ just not yet

[Bacchus39]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/raul-castro-be-patient-there-is-a-place-for-young-leaders-in-government-_-just-not-yet/2011/04/20/AFVktKDE_story.html

HAVANA — Raul Castro has begged patience from those seeking a generational change in Cuba, saying the country still lacks young leaders with the experience to take the revolution forward 52 years after he and his brother came to power.

But observers say that the Castros have only themselves to blame, and that a history of cutting the legs out from under promising politicians has marked their rule almost from its inception.

“The lack of confidence Raul feels in young apparatchiks is based on the fact he doesn’t understand their impatience or the speed at which they want to accelerate the process (of economic and political change),” said Eduardo Bueno, a professor of international relations at Mexico’s Iberoamerican University. “The founding generation is extremely closed, and this ethic has served to discredit young leaders.”

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Raul seemed to acknowledge the gap between his words and final action in his closing speech, going out of his way to explain that because of bad choices, nobody acceptable was available to promote. But he implied that the error was having put faith in the wrong people — not having undercut fast-rising stars.





kind of sad actually, its simply not credible that there are no younger Cubans capable of assuming leadership. seems the Castro boys are most concerned with their own legacy and are fearful of being undermined.

[flamingdem]

1. I'm glad they are finally making space for the younger generation

It's much needed and long overdue, as they know themselves

[EFerrari]

2. It would be pretty surprising if some form of bunker mentality

didn't take hold after being on the US hit list for decades. I admire the Castros but they're human.

[Bacchus39]

3. yep, its all about the Castro boys

they don't want to be undermined while they are still living certainly, and at least for awhile after they are gone.