Catholic dissident leader in Cuba calls for peace, unity

Catholic dissident leader in Cuba calls for peace, unity
8/15/2006

Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)
HAVANA, Cuba (CNA) – Amidst uncertainty about the health of Fidel Castro
and a temporary transferal of power to his brother, Raul, a dissident
Catholic the leader has called upon Cuban authorities, the international
community and peaceful opposition movements to exhibit calm reflection
and responsible action in order to foster peace and unity among Cubans –
both on the island and throughout the world.

Oswaldo Paya of the Christian Liberation Movement (CLM) told Cuban
authorities in a statement that, "if their pronouncements and actions
are oriented toward maintaining an atmosphere of peace and respect for
all Cubans, then no institution, organization, or citizen will feel the
need to use exclusive or offensive language, in threatening or attacking
others."

"Such attitudes," the Catholic dissident leader said, "can lead to abuse
and violence which is inconsistent with the atmosphere of respect,
tolerance, and unity that Cuba needs and which all Cubans deserve by right."

"Cubans have the right and the need to think and talk about their lives
and their future with confidence and serenity – knowing how to listen
and showing respect for neighbor and for order," Paya stated. He called
on the European Union and governments in the western hemisphere,
including the United States, and the rest of the world to contribute "to
an atmosphere of peace and serenity among all Cubans and, as much as
possible, to understanding and dialogue among Cubans."

"Any statement or action that seeks to define or determine what should
happen in Cuba, anything that is not a call to calm and to peace, could
increase tensions, distrust, and misunderstandings among Cubans and that
is not what Cuba wants and needs," Paya added.

Paya went on to warn against confusing "certain voices from the exile"
who issue "irresponsible" statements with the voices of the "majority of
the Cuban exiles who, while they have a peaceful spirit and also an
immense and very just desire for a re-encounter with their homeland
whenever that is possible, though in an ordered and legal way, now
prioritize the need for peace and unity in Cuba."

The leader of the Varela Project for a democratic transition on the
island nation called on opposition movements to act with "responsibility
and love toward the people of Cuba, above any particular strategies and
political positions."

The statement also addressed the CLM's official position regarding the
Castro regime.

"Our choice and our call is for peace among Cubans," it said, "for the
sake of serenity, for the sake of respect of all for all and for the
life and dignity of each Cuban, for the sake of avoiding confusion and
statements and actions that could lead to confrontation among Cubans,
for the sake of seeking the good of the people of Cuba.

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=20900