Reaction from around the world to the retirement of Cuban President Fidel Castro has been mixed and cautious.

世界各國對古巴國務委員會主席卡斯特羅退休一事的反映既復雜又謹慎。

Fidel Castro's retirement formally ends the rule of the world's longest-serving leader. But it is hardly unexpected; the 81-year-old Mr. Castro has not been seen in public for more than a year and a half, and he recently wrote that he would not "cling to power."

卡斯特羅正式退休結束了這位世界上任職最長的領導人的統治。但這是可以預計到的，81歲的卡斯特羅已經一年多沒有在公眾場合露面，他最近寫信說，他不會再緊握大權。

For more than four decades, U.S. policy has stood in opposition to Mr. Castro's communist rule. Yet there was no hint of triumphant jubilation in President Bush's voice as he reacted to news that the long-standing U.S. nemesis is stepping down.

40多年來，美國的政策一直是反對卡斯特羅的共產主義統治。但是當布什總統聽到美國長久以來的宿敵下臺的消息時，他的聲音中沒有流露出得意之情。

Mr. Bush seemed focused on Cuba's road ahead as he spoke during a visit to Rwanda. "I believe that the change from Fidel Castro ought to begin a period of democratic transition," he said. "The first step, of course, will be for people [Cuban dissidents] put in these prisons to be let out."

布什在訪問盧旺達期間發表講話，對古巴的未來表示關注。他說：“我認為卡斯特羅的改變應該會開始一個民主過渡時期。當然了，第一步將是被關押的古巴異議人士獲得釋放�！�

The president added that the political transition in Cuba should lead to genuinely free and fair elections.

布什總統補充說，古巴的政治過渡應該通向真正自由公正的選舉。

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was asked if the end of Fidel Castro's rule would prompt an end to the decades-old U.S. trade embargo of Cuba. Mr. Negroponte said he cannot imagine that happening anytime soon.

美國副國務卿內格羅蓬特被問及卡斯特羅的統治結束是否會推動美國結束對古巴實施了幾十年的貿易禁令。內格羅蓬特說，他無法想象不久的未來會結束貿易禁令。

Elsewhere, a European Union spokesman John Clancy is quoted as saying the bloc will encourage a peaceful transition to pluralistic democracy in Cuba, and is willing to engage with Cuba in constructive dialogue to that end.

在其它地方，歐盟一位發言人被引述說，歐盟將鼓勵古巴和平過渡到多元化民主，而且歐盟愿意同古巴進行合作，就實現多元化民主進行建設性的對話。

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen says Fidel Castro will not be missed, while Sweden's foreign minister Carl Bildt says Mr. Castro's departure marks the end of an era that began with freedom and ended with oppression.

丹麥首相拉斯穆森說，卡斯特羅不會被人懷念。瑞典外交大臣說，卡斯特羅的離開標志著一個時代的結束，這個時代以自由開始，以壓迫結束。

But a spokesman for Vietnam's foreign ministry praised Mr. Castro as a great friend, comrade, and very close brother, while the leader of Russia's Communist Party hailed him as a fantastic political leader who hosted high the flag of freedom.

但是越南外交部的一位發言人說，卡斯特羅是一個很好的朋友、同志、非常親密的兄弟。俄羅斯共產黨主席把卡斯特羅稱贊為高舉著自由旗幟的一位極好的政治領導人。

Mr. Castro's younger brother, Raul, temporarily took the reins of power in 2006 when the elder Castro underwent emergency gastrointestinal surgery, and many Cuba-watchers expect Raul Castro will succeed his brother as president.

2006年卡斯特羅進行緊急腸道手術的時候，他的弟弟勞爾.卡斯特羅暫時主政。許多古巴觀察人士都預計，勞爾.卡斯特羅會接替他哥哥擔任古巴國務委員會主席的職務。

Spanish foreign ministry officials are quoted as saying they believe Raul's ascension to power will allow him to undertake reforms on the island. Raul Castro has spoken of economic liberalization and pursuing a possible thaw in relations with the United States.

有消息援引西班牙外交部官員的話說，他們認為勞爾.卡斯特羅掌權將允許他在古巴進行改革。勞爾.卡斯特羅曾經談到要進行經濟改革開放，并努力尋求同美國改善關系。

Some dissidents in Cuba appear cautiously optimistic about the future. Eloy Gutierrez-Menoyo, a former Cuban exile, says he has hope that economic and political change can be accomplished without destabilization.

古巴一些異議人士對未來持謹慎樂觀態度。曾經流亡海外的古巴人蒙諾尤說，他希望經濟和政治變革能夠在政局平穩的情況下實現。

The dissident says that any change in Cuba will be positive, mainly if people understand that democracy comes from diversity.

這位異議人士說，如果人們理解民主是來自多元化的話，古巴的任何變化都將是積極的。