Shared values on the future of cuba

By Eduardo Aguirre, U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra

Our frequent dialog with the Spanish Government, on broad-ranging bilateral and multilateral issues, allows us to speak as allies and friends on Cuba. I appreciate the freedom to be able to respectfully express my government’s point of view, and to encourage all those, in and out of the Island, who yearn to see a democratic Cuba.

Our reflections on Cuba have been reinforced by statements made, less than three months ago, by Prime Minister Rodriguez Zapatero on Latin America and Cuba. We agree on the importance of promoting democratic values – the central focus of our policy in the region since President Carter’s Administration. We also agree when he said that “we must require that Latin American governments be serious, rigorous, law-abiding and respectful of the legal protection…of political parties.” These words reflect my country’s views. There is an opportunity for the international community to jointly influence progressive elements within the Cuban Government, to move away from the failed dictatorial model. Thus, allowing political space, and freedom of speech, to the Cuban people.

Starting from that premise, we find it is essential that democratic governments, especially those of the European Union, show active solidarity…beyond subtle rhetoric…with the Cuban people. Not with Cuba’s dictatorial government. With the Cuban people! The eleven million souls in Cuba deserve to be able to embark on the road to democracy and freedom. The same freedom and democracy that Fidel Castro, and his select governing elite, has for…49 years…denied their subjects: basic human rights, freedom of speech…and the fundamental ability to elect their government at the ballot box.

Over the last two years, we have observed and admired the compassion of Spaniards and Europeans in general, for people who are politically oppressed or economically disadvantaged, in Africa, the Middle East and many other parts of the world. We would expect that this sense of support for freedom and development would be even deeper, when it comes to…a nation and people so historically tied to the hearts of Spain and Europe.

Nearly a year ago the European Union and the United States stated jointly: “We call upon the countries in the region to provide consistent, effective support to protect the individuals, organizations and institutions working to promote and protect human rights and democracy. We express our deep concern over the human rights situation in Cuba and urge the Cuban Government to take prompt steps to improve the situation.” All members of the democratic community should feel frustrated that these words have fallen on the deaf ears of the Cuban Government.

We are at new cross roads. Because of his illness, Fidel Castro has transferred power to his brother Raúl. Now may be the time to begin a democratic transition in Cuba. The people of Cuba deserve the power to choose their future and have a better life. The future of Cuba should be determined by the Cuban people. No political solution should be imposed from the outside, directly from the United States, or from any other country. Nonetheless, democratic nations need to find ways to show their solidarity with the Cuban people.

Now is the time for the international community to act. Letting the people of Cuba know, that the time has come to develop a political space within the Island, that promotes dialog among the people of Cuba, so they will be able to determine their own future. This is why it is so important to maintain continued contacts with dissidents on the Island.

Working together with the European Union, we look forward to an opening of the political system in Cuba to begin creating the conditions for the establishment of a democratic transition. These conditions would include the release of political prisoners, respect for human rights, the creation of independent organizations and the establishment of mechanisms and channels for free, impartial elections. This would be the basic underpinning for creating an environment, in which the Cuban people can commence a dialog with some degree of confidence, about what the future of their country could be, and should be.

The member countries of the European Union have taken different roads to gain their freedom and democracy. Some achieved this more recently, others further back in history. At different times they all have served as points of reference to encourage subjugated people to abolish their dictatorships.

It is in this regard that we stress the importance of the role played by the international community. We should, all together, send a clear political message to the current regime regarding the unacceptability of political repression, a clear message to the Cuban people of our desire to help them along the way to transition, show our solidarity with dissidents, and make it clear that the international community wants Cuba to join the community of world democracies.

It is very important for the international community to take a stand that clearly reflects its beliefs and speaks loudly and clearly. Underlining the hope for a better future for Cuba, and letting the oppressed people of Cuba know, that outside the Island there is the resolve that Cuba will start its democratic transition, and will join together once again with the free countries of the world. Then, that united international community will be able to say, with pride, that it has fulfilled its fundamental values as a community member of world democracies.

For our part, we have increased our aid and outreach programs to the Cuban civil society. We are offering support and encouragement, so that Cubans can connect with each other, and articulate their desires for change, peacefully and effectively. Thus promoting a dialog among Cubans on the future of their country.

The U.S. government supports dialog and exchanges…especially when many differences exist. However, the five decades of the Castro government force us to acknowledge, that in the end, we only have one option: solidarity with the millions of oppressed people in Cuba, not with the privileged few who tyrannize and oppress the Cuban people.

My thoughts as Ambassador of the U.S. to Spain lead me to a few brief conclusions:

• The U.S. acknowledges that there are many different strategic alternatives for improving Cuba’s future. However, we cannot vacillate and accept a Cuba governed by a dictator. Our common objective is for a democratic transition.
  

• If the U.S. and the European Union were to publicly, and jointly, reject the transfer of power within the Castro family, we would be sending a clear message with a powerful impact. We want the people of Cuba to be able to exercise their right to freedom and democracy. Our hopes are for political and economic self-determination in Cuba through freedom of speech and at democratic polls.
  

• I take to heart, the criticism that the U.S. strategy, to promote human rights in Cuba, has not changed the Castro government’s policies. Likewise, others must admit that the strategies of dialog and encounter have had equally futile results. However, we have at least found solidarity in always encouraging, through clear messages, the brave, suffering dissidents who are working under dire conditions for their ideals of freedom. Both strategies were aimed at changing a dictatorship into a democracy by peaceful means.
  

• The regime, now being perpetuated by Raúl Castro, is clearly not undertaking any reforms. For example, EFE reported on April 17 that, Cuban independent journalist Óscar Sánchez Madan was sentenced in a summary trial to four years in jail for “pre-criminal danger.” In other words, for practicing journalism. Something that we in the U.S., Spain, and other countries of the European Union, consider to be essential to our values and our rights of freedom of speech and press.

• Ultimately, history shows, one decade after another, that the government of the Castro brothers deserves no international credibility to negotiate in good faith. They pretend to participate in dialog, only to buy time and proceed as they see fit. They confound, with renewed deceit, the countries of good will they seek to persuade. Unfortunately everything points to Cuba continuing with an obtuse government, holding onto power and rejecting human rights, rights which most of our countries consider inalienable.

Lastly, I refer once again to the words of the Spanish government: “a style of government has a story, a key and a foundation: public democracy.” I think these values are exactly what the U.S., the European Union, and Spain wish for Cuba. Why, then, should we not act vis-à-vis the Castro brothers in consonance with the values of freedom and democracy? Cubans do not deserve to continue “living in chains…continually shamed and insulted.” (Sentiment expressed in the Cuban national anthem).

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