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Cuban dissidents push for
change
BBC,
UK, February 17, 2005.
One of Cuba's best-known dissidents has
announced the formation of an international
committee to draft a plan for democratic
reform on the island.
Oswaldo Paya said the committee included
representatives of some exile groups as
well as dissidents in Cuba.
He said it would call for a referendum
on its final proposal after holding consultations
with Cuba's people.
Ideas being discussed include an amnesty
for dissident prisoners and opening up the
Cuban economy.
Mr Paya said he had invited the Cuban government
to take part in the initiative, but it had
been harassing his supporters and confiscating
documents.
Havana accuses the dissidents of plotting
to overthrow the government with help from
Washington.
But Mr Paya says the venture is all-inclusive.
"This is not an opposition alliance,
because a national dialogue cannot just
include opponents," he said.
"The government is part of Cuban society
and we are open to dialogue with its members."
Mr Paya attracted international attention
three years ago, when he organised a petition
for democratic reform, known as the Varela
Project, that was signed by thousands of
Cubans.
Many of the 75 dissidents arrested and
sentenced to long prison terms in a crackdown
in March 2003 were volunteers working on
the project.
Fourteen have since been freed.
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