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Yahoo!
News. Thu Nov 7, 8:32 PM ET
HAVANA, 7 (AP) - A coalition of government opponents called on
Ibero-American leaders to press the Cuban government next week for a democratic
opening and greater exercise of civil liberties on the Caribbean island.
"It would be a contradiction to continue silencing the violation of
those rights in Cuba and not call on the government of our country to cooperate
with its own people," read the open letter to the leaders of Spanish- and
Portuguese-speaking countries attending the Ibero-American summit in Bavaro,
Dominican Republic, Nov. 15-16.
The document, delivered to international news organizations by fax this
week, was signed by the representatives of 167 civic, social, cultural and
political non-governmental organizations across Cuba.
The statement also called on the leaders to back the Varela Project, a
signature gathering effort that seeks a referendum asking Cuban voters if they
favor guarantees for liberties such as freedom of speech and private business
ownership.
Organizers of the Varela Project in May delivered more than 11,000
signatures to Cuba's parliament requesting the referendum, but has not received
a response.
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