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NEWS
I am a Social
Democrat who shows support, but not
an accomplice to wrongdoing.
(HAVANA/CUBA/October 13/Puenteinfocubamiami.org)_
These were the words used by the president of the illegal Cuban Social
Democrat Party, Vladimiro Roca, when asked his views on the speech of
Don Carlos Alonso Zaldívar, Spanish ambassador in Havana, during the
ceremony in celebration of the discovery of America.
The Ambassador's welcoming speech was a remembrance of the old and
mistaken policies which were elevated from the very same detestable
imperial pride that brought so much ill will and hurt to the relations
between the motherland and the people of the faithful Island of Cuba.
According to the Ambassador, the Spanish government considers a failed
policy to invite the Cuban dissidence to their diplomatic activities but
it had no choice but to proceed with the invitations, for the rest of
the countries of the European Union refused to change this their show of
solidarity with the Cuban dissidents.
This disrespectful speech before all the pain of the Cuban tragedy
brought forth the feared reality that the Spanish government seems
willing to accept the blackmail of the oldest and merciless dictatorship
this hemisphere has suffered in all of its history. Minister Moratinos'
declarations, the avalanche of new investors visiting Cuba exploring new
forms to exploit the Cuban worker and now this irresponsible message
lacking moderation and diplomatic fineness only ratifies the fears of a
People that has already suffered too much.
The Spanish ambassador's words provoked the valiant Martha Beatriz Roque
Cabello to leave the act and gave way to an immense show of sympathy
towards the opponents by a great number of other Ambassadors and
diplomatic personnel that were present at the reception.
Therefore, we are attaching copy of a letter written by the president of
the Cuban Social Democrat Party and sent to the Honorable President of
the Spanish Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero , dated in Havana
on the 7th day of October 2004.
Juan Carlos Acosta Fernández
Foreign Relations Secretary of the Cuban Social Democrat
Party and Executive Director of Acción Democrática Cubana.
Given to Net For Cuba International and Information Bridge Cuba Miami
by Acción Democrática Cubana on the 13th day of October 2004.
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LETTER TO JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO
Havana, October 7, 2004
Honorable José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
President of the Spanish Government
Honorable Mr. Rodríguez Zapatero:
First, my warmest greetings from this poor and humiliated Island on
behalf of the Cuban Social Democrats.
Chancellor Moratino's declarations before Congress, in regards to the
Spanish Government's future politics towards Cuba arose great concerns
within our Party and with most of the Cuban dissident and opposition
organizations prompting the writing of this letter.
I consider necessary to put in perspective the situation of the
opposition in Cuba and the joint policy of the European Union (UE), I
believe you are well acquainted in this regard even though Moratino's
declaration point to the contrary.
1. - Most of the dissident organizations and those of the opposition
agree with the joint policy of the European Union. Said policy responds
to the fact that to invite dissident and opponents to the current
government or any future government is a right of diplomatic
headquarters credited in any Country.
2. - There are some dissidents that don't coincide with this position
but they represent a minority inside the wide spectrum of organizations
of the opposition in our Country.
3. - To waive inviting us to activities in order to cuddle up with the
Cuban government, a government that turned its back on Spain and the
European Union due to its repressive, antidemocrat and terrorist nature,
would be to give in to the blackmail that the Cuban ruler has sought to
impose through denying government agency access to diplomats of
the European Union as a retaliatory move against the joint policy
adopted in defense of the democracy and the human rights in Cuba, which
in reality deserves the same treatment be given to Cuban chancellors by
all European Union Governments, instead of thinking on rewarding a
deteriorated diplomatic relationship for which the Cuban government is
the only one to blame.
4. - As a former political prisoner and opponent, I firmly believe that
none of the opponents arrested and sentenced in last year's wave of
repression will receive with pleasure that their liberty be obtained by
giving up on the rights for which we are fighting and that are the
direct cause of their imprisonment.
5 - It is my belief that the policy Chancellor Moratino outlines is not
new, it was already in effect during Felipe González's government and it
was a failure, as González himself admitted in declarations he made to
the press.
6. - These considerations don't go against the Spanish government's
wishes to open lines of communication and a dialogue with the Cuban
authorities, to try to look for changes towards democracy and the
respect of the human rights, which we support, for we are in favor
of the dialogue and reconciliation, but dialogue means to listen to
opposing views and to try to reconcile as many issues as possible in
favor of the people. That, unfortunately, is not the case with this
government; since the attitude maintained is a refusal to apply any type
of measure that could benefit the people and is a government that
neither respects its Constitution nor its own laws.
My apologies for the crude and direct language used, but the importance
of this issue for us is too vital to complicate ourselves with
diplomatic rhetoric.
I take this opportunity, dear Mr Rodríguez Zapatero, to ratify the
testimony of my highest consideration and respect.
Vladimiro Roca
President of the Promoters Committee
cc: Trinidad Jiménez
Secretary of Foreign Relations of the PSOE
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