UNITED FRONT PRESENTS FIVE-POINT FREEDOM PLAN FOR CUBA

The Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba, an organization headed by known dissident Marta Beatriz Roque, joined the Cuban Patriotic Forum, an organization composed of the oldest and most respected exile groups, to present a five-point freedom plan for Cuba. The document is evidence Cubans inside the country and the majority of Cuban exiles agree on the steps necessary to bring democracy to the island. I am an American citizen, and one of those exiles. Now that we have a united front, we ask for the support of the international community and all those who believe in a representative form of government, to bring about the end of the communist dictatorship in Cuba.

The first point of the resolution asks for the liberation of all political prisoners. Also, for an end to the tactics used by Castro’s government to intimidate the internal opposition. Dissidents suffer persecution, harassment and even beatings perpetrated by government sponsored mobs. You would expect officers of the law to protect citizens from assault and battery, and to bring charges against the perpetrators of these crimes, but not in Cuba. Say something against the government, and soon you will have a bunch of people spewing obscenities and calling you all kinds of names in front of your house. Such “acts of repudiation” are commonplace.

The second point asks for the creation of a transition government with the mission to bring democracy to Cuba. In other words, our united front rejects any transition government that includes top members of the present regime and perpetuates the existent form of government. Our transition government will respect human rights and the inalienable freedoms of all human beings. Such freedoms include freedom of thought and expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and economic freedom.

The third point rejects the current communist constitution imposed by the Castro regime. It seeks to form an assembly to arrive at a new constitution. Once completed, there will be a referendum, so that the people can approve or disapprove the new constitution. If rejected, the constituent assembly will make amendments until a particular interpretation is successful.

The fourth point eliminates the present communist party monopoly. It asks for the recognition of multiple political parties, and for elections that reflect such diversity. Implicitly stated here is the existence of those freedoms necessary for candidates to campaign and bring their messages to the people.

The fifth point aims to eliminate the unjust-capricious-arbitrary decisions characteristic of Castro’s Injustice System. It asks for the establishment of the rule of law, so that there is full protection for every Cuban citizen from subjective judgments that could lead to social dissatisfaction and upheaval.

Once again, I ask all freedom-loving people to support this plan and join our efforts to bring down Castro’s totalitarian system. The lone star that adorns the Cuban flag has five points. Our united front freedom plan has five points. May they merge under God’s blessing, so that the star of freedom can shine brightly over that beautiful land!

¡Viva Cuba Libre! ¡Que Viva la Estrella de la Libertad!
Long live a Free Cuba! Long live the Star of Freedom!

Joseph (José Luis) Marchante (Rey)