Poland: Opposition Leaders in Cuba and in Exile Sign Agreement for Democracy in Cuba

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Poland: Opposition Leaders in Cuba and in Exile Sign Agreement for Democracy in Cuba
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

Húber Matos Benítez, former political prisoner, ratifying the Agreement for Democracy. On the far left of the photograh: President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczyński. (Directorio)

Lubin, Poland. 31 August 2007. Cuban Democratic Directorate. Polish President Lech Kaczyński, along with Polish Members of Parliament and Cuban-American Congressmen witnessed the signing of the Agreement for Democracy in Cuba, a ten-point plan for a democratic transition in Cuba which has been ratified by Cuban organizations both on the Island and in exile. The signing took place on the 25^th anniversary of the murder of three young Polish opponents of that country’s communist government on August 31, 1982. Thousands of Poles attended the ceremony, becoming witness in turn of the document’s ratification.

“On behalf of more than 300 of my brothers in the struggle here in Cuba who are imprisoned for peacefully seeking the freedom you enjoy today, I convey all my gratitude as well as my unconditional support to that worthy Agreement for Democracy which I am honored to ratify through this message […] [T]he Cuban people struggle, hope and yearn for freedom lost” stated opposition activist and former political prisoner Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez” from Placetas, Cuba. Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, another signatory of the Agreement for Democracy in Cuba also sent a message from Havana.

Javier De Céspedes and Calixto Navarro headed the Directorio delegation, and were joined by representatives from numerous exile organizations including Sylvia Iriondo from MAR for Cuba, Húber Matos Benítez, from Independent and Democratic Cuba, Rolando Béhar from the Cuban Liberal Union, Pedro Peñaranda from Cuban Municipalities in Exile, Mauricio Claver-Carone, Cuba Democracy Advocates, Ana Carbonell from the White Rose, Armando De Armas from the PEN Club in Exile and Pedro Fuentes Cid, a former Cuban political prisoner.

“I would like to invite our friends in our homeland to feel the emotion that we felt during the ratification ceremony for the Agreement for Democracy. There were 5,000 Poles applauding the Cuban people, the Cuban opposition activists. This was an act by our people […] and Cuba will be free because she has the support of the whole world’s democrats” stated Angel de Fana, President of Plantados until Freedom and Democracy in Cuba.

The thousands in attendance gave a standing ovation as the representatives of the Cuban opposition ceremonially signed the Agreement for Democracy in Cuba.

“The Cuban Democratic Directorate is honored that the Polish people and its highest political representatives were witnesses to this historic day which brings us one step closer to the coalescing of the world’s democratic forces in support of democracy in Cuba, and the coalescing of our efforts as Cubans to unite for our country’s freedom,” stated Javier De Céspedes, President of the Cuban Democratic Directorate at the event’s conclusion.

Texts of Statements by Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez” and Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello:

“My name is Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez,” and I send you an affectionate greeting. From across a great distance, I thank you for the honor of addressing all those present. I thank His Excellency, President Lech Kaczinsky, the tireless freedom fighters Congressmen Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, Albio Sires, and those others present today, as well as my exiled compatriots. I myself have recently been released after 17 long and difficult years as a political prisoner. During those years, I personally experienced every kind of torture for having defended the same ideals as those three young men who were treacherously executed in what has come to be known as the Lubin Massacre on that tragic and unforgettable day of August 31, 1982. For us Cubans, the Polish people set a historic precedent worth following and honoring. Thanks to their resolute decision, they were the first in Eastern Europe to breach the totalitarian wall and are one of the most important sources of support and solidarity on which Cubans may rely in their struggle for freedom. I myself was sent to prison precisely for daring to shout at the top of my lungs in a public square that Cuba should also have implemented the reforms you put in practice. On behalf of more than 300 of my brothers in the struggle here in Cuba who are imprisoned for peacefully seeking the freedom you enjoy today, I convey all my gratitude as well as my unconditional support to that worthy Agreement for Democracy which I am honored to ratify through this message. Do not falter in your efforts: the Cuban people struggle, hope and yearn for freedom lost. Thank you very much.”

Jorge Luís García Pérez “Antúnez,” President of the Pedro Luis Boitel Political Prisoners Association.

“Speaking to you from Cuba, I am Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello. I wish to greet His Excellency Mr. Lech Kaczynski, the Cuban-American Congressmen present, and the representatives of the Cuban people in exile. For those of us carrying out the struggle on our beloved Island, this event demonstrates the solidarity we have in the world, as well as the spaces we need in order to open ourselves to people who know about the reality in Cuba. You commemorate the deaths of young men who died for Poland’s freedom, and have been an example to all of us. We believe that the presence of Cubans at this event indicates that we are also standing in solidarity with the Polish people. The fact that this visit will yield a consolidation of the Agreement for Democracy is important for all. Undoubtedly, this will strengthen us greatly in our struggle. I wish you all luck in what you are going to do, and I also wish that you would at all times remember our political prisoners who are suffering through long sentences for the mere fact that they dissent from the Cuban government. Thank you very much.”

Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, President of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba

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