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Cubans Vote for a Free Cuba in Exile*** "The purpose is to legitimize the Free Nation of Cuba, which is a concept and a doctrine that, once the majority of Cubans in exile supports, will gain a juridical personality and represent the true interests of the Cuban people," Miguel Angel Martín, spokesman for the National Transition Commission, stated.

Voters were asked on the ballot if they agreed with legitimizing "The Free Nation of Cuba", creating a "National Transition Commission", and authorizing it to continue work towards legitimizing that "Free Nation of Cuba". Three-thousand, four-hundred and fifty-six persons supported the creation of the "Nation", 34 persons did not, and the remainder either did not vote or submitted a blank ballot. Regarding the Commission, 3,419 persons voted in favor and 44 against.

In addition to the referendum, a poll was conducted to ask voters if they believed the National Transition Committee should coordinate efforts with dissident groups inside Cuba such as All United and the Assembly for the Development of Civil Society (3,429 in favor, 15 against) and [if they supported] the Varela Project (3,234 in favor and 161 against). [The Varela Project is an effort by dissidents inside Cuba to provide for a larger participation of the Cuban people in the political and economic life of the country. Supporters of the Project call for legal recognition of the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly; the right of Cubans to own businesses; electoral reform; and amnesty for political prisoners.]

Martín explained that the initiative is based on the premise that 12 million people living in Cuba cannot speak freely against the dictatorial regime, for which the 2 million Cubans in exile aspire to form that Free Nation of Cuba.

[The exiles] attempt to replace the Cuban government with this [Free Nation] in international organizations in the future and thus end the Castro regime. "Those 12 million Cubans are not allowed to speak [freely] or vote, [so] it's like they don't exist because they are like slaves," [Martín] commented.***

548 posted on 06/05/2003 1:42:13 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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Locked Up For Speaking Out - Diary Gives Look at Prison Life in Cuba *** "If for the simple act of practicing journalism they condemned me to 18 years without freedom, then nothing else can be unjust or extreme," Vazquez wrote in one entry. ***
549 posted on 06/05/2003 4:28:46 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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