Peaceful Cuban succession possibly underway

Cuban officials yesterday mocked opponents who had hoped that unrest would erupt in the Communist-ruled nation following the hospitalization of veteran leader Fidel Castro.

In the latest of several messages from Washington aimed at encouraging Cubans to push for change, US President George W. Bush said Cubans should decide their own form of government.

A leading intellectual and Cuban government member said the country had set in motion a "peaceful succession" - the first official to use the word succession. It was not clear whether his use of the term implied that Castro's handover of power to his brother Raul will turn out to be permanent.

Fidel Castro remained convalescing out of sight yesterday, one week after surgery for internal bleeding forced him to put Raul Castro provisionally in charge of the island he has dominated for 47 years.

Senior officials have in the past few days assured Cubans that Castro, who is due to turn 80 next Sunday, is on the road to recovery.

The news of his illness last week stunned the nation of 11 million people and prompted heated speculation in Cuba, in the exile bastion of Miami, and beyond over Cuba's future political course. Roberto Fernandez Retamar, a writer and member of the Council of State, said the US government had expected chaos after Castro handed over power to his brother.