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

世界各国对古巴国务委员会主席卡斯特罗退休一事的反映既复杂又谨慎。

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."

卡斯特罗正式退休结束了这位世界上任职最长的领导人的统治。但这是可以预计到的，81岁的卡斯特罗已经一年多没有在公众场合露面，他最近写信说，他不会再紧握大权。

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多年来，美国的政策一直是反对卡斯特罗的共产主义统治。但是当布什总统听到美国长久以来的宿敌下台的消息时，他的声音中没有流露出得意之情。

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."

布什在访问卢旺达期间发表讲话，对古巴的未来表示关注。他说：“我认为卡斯特罗的改变应该会开始一个民主过渡时期。当然了，第一步将是被关押的古巴异议人士获得释放。”

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

布什总统补充说，古巴的政治过渡应该通向真正自由公正的选举。

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.

美国副国务卿内格罗蓬特被问及卡斯特罗的统治结束是否会推动美国结束对古巴实施了几十年的贸易禁令。内格罗蓬特说，他无法想象不久的未来会结束贸易禁令。

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，欧盟一位发言人被引述说，欧盟将鼓励古巴和平过渡到多元化民主，而且欧盟愿意同古巴进行合作，就实现多元化民主进行建设性的对话。

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.

丹麦首相拉斯穆森说，卡斯特罗不会被人怀念。瑞典外交大臣说，卡斯特罗的离开标志着一个时代的结束，这个时代以自由开始，以压迫结束。

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发言人说，卡斯特罗是一个很好的朋友、同志、非常亲密的兄弟。俄罗斯共产党主席把卡斯特罗称赞为高举着自由旗帜的一位极好的政治领导人。

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年卡斯特罗进行紧急肠道手术的时候，他的弟弟劳尔.卡斯特罗暂时主政。许多古巴观察人士都预计，劳尔.卡斯特罗会接替他哥哥担任古巴国务委员会主席的职务。

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员的话说，他们认为劳尔.卡斯特罗掌权将允许他在古巴进行改革。劳尔.卡斯特罗曾经谈到要进行经济改革开放，并努力寻求同美国改善关系。

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.

古巴一些异议人士对未来持谨慎乐观态度。曾经流亡海外的古巴人蒙诺尤说，他希望经济和政治变革能够在政局平稳的情况下实现。

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

这位异议人士说，如果人们理解民主是来自多元化的话，古巴的任何变化都将是积极的。