Nonviolent transition in Cuba possible, former nuncio says

Catholic News Agency: Nonviolent transition in Cuba possible, former
nuncio says
8/10/2006

Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)
ROME (CNA) – A transition from the rule of Fidel Castro can take place
without recourse to violence if the international community approaches
Cuba through dialogue, said a former apostolic nuncio to the island
nation as the world awaits news of the long-term health condition of its
dictator.

"A nonviolent transition is possible, depending on how this matter is
handled," Archbishop Giulio Einaudi, nuncio in Cuba from 1980-88, told
the Chilean daily El Mercurio. "Personally I think it can take place
through normal channels after so many years of revolution."

"If the international community will approach Cuba through dialogue, the
situation can evolve in a very positive way," he stated.

Commenting on the transfer of power from Fidel Castro to his brother,
Raul, Archbishops Einaudi said he "should be capable of leading the
country towards peaceful and normal progress."

The interim leader's "limitation" could also be the situation's
strength, Archbishop Einaudi said.

"He was at Fidel's side during all these years. Thus he knows the
situation completely. It depends on how he will handle matters in this
period of transition, which we don't know yet if it will be one of
transition," he said. "It depends greatly on him and precisely on the
powers he may choose to employ."

Nevertheless, the archbishop said it was too early to talk of a
post-Fidel period. "We cannot say that a truly post-Castro era has
begun, as it is possible he will improve and return," he said.

Asked about the Cuban bishops' statement that they would not accept or
support any kind of foreign intervention in the country, Archbishop
Einaudi said Cardinal Jaime Ortega of Havana "is a very prudent man and
is capable of facing this transition."

"As the church, we do not get involved in political alternatives. We can
follow the evolution of events, and also call for prayer, but that's it.
And this what was done when the church in Cuba called on the faithful to
pray that the Lord would be with Castro in these difficult moments,
which are hard for him, but also for the entire Cuban people," the
former nuncio said.

Speaking about his time as apostolic nuncio in Cuba, he recalled "there
was a good relationship" with Felipe Carneado, who was at that time head
of the Communist Party's Central Committee for relations with the church.

"Almost every day we met to analyze the daily affairs of the church,
such as the possibility of having more priests and religious,
facilitating the importation of literature, building new parishes."

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=20851