Reply to advocates of Cuban communists

LATVIJAS BIBLIOTEKARU BIEDRIBA
LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF LATVIA

K. Barona iela 14
Riga, LV-1423

Terbatas iela 75
Riga, LV-1001
Latvija
Talr.: (371) 7365250
Fakss: (371) 7280851

Talr.: 7312791; 7312776
Talr./ fakss: (371) 7312793
E-pasts: lbb@lnb.lv

27.01.2005

Reply to advocates of Cuban communists

To us, Eastern Europeans, who have experienced communism, your letter is
a typical example of forced compliance with the state ideology. It is
not easy to stand against the ruling ideology, as it may jeopardise not
only one's freedom but also one's life.

For example, the Criminal Code of the former Soviet Union prescribed
severe sanctions for distribution of the information discrediting the
Soviet power. Sanctions were applied even if the information was true.
As a result, millions of innocent people suffered. The young generation,
in its turn, grew cowardly, passive, with little initiative and enterprise.

Like you in your letter, our people blamed democracy, though in fact
obediently supported the existing one-party dictatorship, which tried to
keep the nation deaf and blind by blocking the "dangerous" information
from outside and not permitting other countries to learn the truth about us.

The suppressed initiative, social unification and, consequently,
ineffective economy left the USSR far behind in its development. People
were fighting the dictatorship and censorship quietly, and information
did travel mouth to mouth. Because of the quiet resistance the USSR
collapsed in such an unbelievably high speed.

It is impossible for Eastern Europeans who have experienced communism to
believe that your letter expresses true views of your own and Cuban
librarians.

I hope that the time will come for Cuba to become a real isle of freedom
where free song will flow over free valleys, where no librarian or any
other person will be arrested for disseminating information.

Anna Maulina
President
Library Association of Latvia
Terbatas iela 75, Riga, LV 1001
Tel./fax: (371) 7312793 (office)
Tel.: (371) 9422249 (mobile)
E-mail: anna.maulina@lnb.lv

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