英语听力文摘 English Digest 33、卡斯特罗

（单词翻译）

　　Fidel Castro retires after 49 years in power
执政四十九年，古巴强人卡斯楚宣布退休
Ailing¹ Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in a statement on Feb. 19 that he would not return to lead the country as president or commander-in-chief, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution.
Castro, 81, who had not appeared in public for almost 19 months after undergoing stomach surgery, said in a message to the communist nation that he would not seek a new presidential term when the National Assembly met on Feb. 24.
Castro's retirement² draws the curtain on a political career that spanned the Cold War and survived U.S. enmity, assassination³ plots by the CIA and the demise⁴ of Soviet⁵ bloc⁶ communism.
A charismatic leader famous for his long speeches delivered in his green military fatigues⁷, Castro is admired in the Third World for standing⁸ up to the United States but considered by his opponents a tyrant⁹ who suppressed freedom.
U.S. and European powers recognize Kosovo
美国与欧洲列强承认科索沃独立
The United States and major European powers led international moves to recognize Kosovo's independence on Feb. 18, prompting Serbia to recall its ambassador to Washington in protest.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice declared Kosovo "a sovereign and independent state," while U.S., British, French and Turkish diplomats¹⁰ exchanged letters with Kosovo's leaders in Pristina to establish formal diplomatic ties.
However, Serbia vowed¹¹ to block the territory that it still claims from joining the United Nations and launched criminal action against Kosovo's leaders for the declaration of independence made on Feb. 17.
Germany, Italy and 14 other EU member states declared their intention to follow suit, while a number reserved judgment¹².
Many countries, from China to Romania, Russia and Spain, said they opposed Kosovo's independence, but its Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said he was confident there would soon be international approval.