NOTE:   Fidel Castro is a cruel dictator and an enemy of America. Florida Senator Mel Martinez, who fled Cuba at age 15 said:  "We must remember that Fidel Castro has resigned from a position he was never elected to in the first place."

1.  What fears and hopes have been raised by Fidel Castro's resignation?

2. What do many veteran Cuba watchers believe is Castro's motive for his resignation?

3.  Castro is resigning as president and commander in chief.  Which additional position will he retain?

4.  a) Castro says he is retiring at age 81 because of poor health and turning over power to his brother Raul.  How old is Raul?
b)  What areas of the Cuban government has Raul controlled already for many years?

5.  What needs to happen for Cuba's communist government to change, according to NYU professor Jorge Castaneda?

6.  a) How did the Bush administration react to the news of Castro's resignation?
b)  How did the presidential candidates respond to the news?

7.  What policy do Cuban exiles want the U.S. to continue?