WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Tuesday that democracy would "soon" come to Cuba, one day after ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro announced that he would not cling to office.

    Commenting on Castro's remarks in a letter read on national television, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said, "It was an interesting letter." "It's hard to make out what he is saying or what he means, as is not unusual."

    However, the spokeswoman said, "We're just continuing to work for democracy on the island, and we believe that that day will come soon."

    U.S. President George W. Bush, in an October speech on Cuba, called the Cuban government headed by Castro a "disgraced and dying order" and urged Cubans to push for democratic change.

    Castro, 81, said on Monday he does not intend to cling to power or block the rise of younger generations.

    "My primary duty is not to hold on to positions, or still less to block the rise of younger generations, but to pass on experience and thoughts," Castro, who has rarely been seen in public for a year, said in the letter.

    Castro underwent an intestinal operation in July 2006 and later handed over power to Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro. He has not made any public appearances since then, and in March this year started issuing articles on major current world affairs.

    Earlier this month, Castro, who temporarily handed power to his younger brother Raul Castro a year ago, was nominated as a candidate for the next National Assembly, a move likely to keep him in power for another five years.