Castro Calls for March Across Cuba

AP | 6/11/02 | ANITA SNOW

[kattracks]

HAVANA, Jun 10, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- President Fidel Castro on Monday called for a massive march in the capital and in cities across Cuba to back a constitutional amendment ratifying Cuba as a socialist state.

Castro said that in Havana alone at least 1 million people were expected to participate in the event Wednesday, adding that such a march "has never been done before."

"It will put our organizational ability to the test ... to organize the march in all of the country's provincial capitals, in all of the country's municipalities," Castro said after an evening gathering of the national leadership of the government's popular support organizations.

The announcement comes one month after activists delivered more than 11,000 signatures to Cuba's National Assembly, demanding a referendum for broad changes in the island's socialist system. The government has given little hope for its success.

During a subsequent visit in mid-May, former President Jimmy Carter mentioned the Varela Project signature drive by name - the first time most of the island's 11 million citizens had heard of it - during a live and uncensored television address to the Cuban people.

Seen as the biggest homegrown, nonviolent effort in more than four decades to push for reforms in Cuba's one-party system, the proposed referendum would ask voters if they favor civil liberties such as freedom of speech and assembly, the right to own a business, electoral reform and amnesty for political prisoners.

Before Castro spoke Monday, hundreds of representatives of the popular organizations, which form the pillars supporting Cuba's one-party system, unanimously agreed to ask the National Assembly to consider approving the proposed amendment.

The proposal asks lawmakers to ratify that "Cuba is a socialist state of workers, independent and sovereign, organized with all and for the good of all, as a unified and democratic republic, for the enjoyment of political liberty, social justice, individual and collective well-being, and human solidarity."

In addition, it asks that the amendment to Cuba's 1976 constitution state that "the political will of the people is that the economic, political and social regimen consecrated in the constitution of the republic is untouchable."

It also asks lawmakers to "ratify that economic, diplomatic and political relations with any other state are never negotiated under pressure, threat or pressure of a foreign power."

Castro said the marches are an extension of speeches he's made the last three Saturdays in eastern provincial capitals, responding to President Bush's May 20 address reiterating his promise not to ease up on Cuba trade or travel restrictions until the communist country undertakes deep reforms, including the holding of free and competitive elections.

By ANITA SNOW Associated Press Writer

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

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Followed by April?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Dissidents' petition, the Varela Project - Seen as the biggest homegrown, nonviolent effort in more than four decades to push for reforms in Cuba's one-party system, the proposed referendum would ask voters if they favor civil liberties such as freedom of speech and assembly, the right to own a business, electoral reform and amnesty for political prisoners. - FREEDOM

Castro's counter - The proposal asks lawmakers to ratify that "Cuba is a socialist state of workers, independent and sovereign, organized with all and for the good of all, as a unified and democratic republic, for the enjoyment of political liberty, social justice, individual and collective well-being, and human solidarity." - COMMUNISM