Cuba's acting leader Raul Castro called for more effort to develop the country, as Fidel Castro reiterated he won't cling to power.
In a speech to the closing session of the National People's Power Assembly, the nation's legislature, Raul Castro slammed the "dangerous triumphalist tendency" and called on leaders to make problems public realistically, critically and with self-criticism.
"There are no magicians and no one can pull resources out of a hat," Raul Castro said, adding that "the person who plays the role of director needs to know how to listen and create the atmosphere so that people can express themselves with total freedom."
Raul's remarks coincided with those by Fidel Castro in a written message to the meeting that he is not clinging to power.
"My duty is not to hold on to titles," Castro said, adding that he did not wish to stand in the way of younger people but only to pass on experience and ideas.
On Dec. 17, Fidel Castro said in a letter read on national television that he did not intend to cling to power or block the rise of younger generation.
In late July 2006, Castro, 81, handed over power on what he then described as a "temporary basis" to his younger brother Raul, 75, to undergo an intestinal operation.
The legislature is currently holding its second ordinary meeting of the year, during which it will review 2007's social and economic achievements and approve the 2008 budget.
Cuba's economy grew by 7.5 percent in 2007, less than the 10-percent forecast and less than 2006's 12.5 percent, according to figures by the Economy Ministry.
At the meeting, Raul Castro called on fellow citizens to promote good organization, planning and effective control to achieve better economic performance in 2008.
Source: Xinhua
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