Paxety Pages

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION Contact:786-552-7579
Friday, May 20th, 2005

LETTER FROM CUBAN PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADERS GIVEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE DAY OF HISTORIC MEETING IN HAVANA

Miami, Florida - Information Center - A letter from the organizers of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba was given to President George W. Bush today during a meeting held at the White House this morning with former Cuban political prisoners. Cary Roque, who attended the meeting along with Luis Zuniga and Eleno Oviedo, gave the President the letter on behalf of the Cuban pro - democracy leaders. Below please find the text of the letter:

May 19, 2005
The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:
As former Cuban political prisoners meet with you on May 20th, and this being the eve of the General Meeting of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society - a gathering that will unite over 360 independent groups from throughout the island to discuss all aspects of Cuba's transition towards democracy, we wish to convey a heartfelt message of gratitude to the American people and to you, Mr. President, for the constant gestures of solidarity with the Cuban's people aspiration to live in a free, independent and democratic Cuba.

We are gladdened and truly hopeful as we witness the wide spectrum of Cuba's independent civil society coming together in a courageous step forward and the unwavering support by the Cuban exile community and its organizations. We are all greatly aware of the urgent need to be ready to move our country forward. We are also pleased with the increasing signs of support from the international community during the course of these months, which confirms to us that we are laying a solid foundation for a sturdy and vibrant independent civil society committed to the reconstruction of our country.

Tomorrow we will open the door to allow the rays of democracy and human dignity to shine through on the Cuban nation. We thank you, once again, for standing firm in demanding that Cuba be free!

Sincerely,
Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello
Felix Bonne Carcasses
Rene Gomez Manzano