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Monday, July 03, 2006

Ex-president Havel meets Cuban-born film star Garcia

Ex-president Havel meets Cuban-born film star Garcia

Prague- It is up to the new EU countries to push the EU towards more
resolute stands where it shows reluctance and is not principled enough,
Czech ex-president Vaclav Havel, an advocate of freedom and human rights
observance in Cuba, told CTK before meeting Cuban-born U.S. film star
Andy Garcia today.

Garcia is staying in the Czech Republic as a guest to the Karlovy Vary
international film festival that has presented him with a Crystal Globe
for his extraordinary contribution to world cinema.

Asked by CTK whether he would return to Cuba if the current totalitarian
regime collapsed, Garcia said he has been dreaming about returning to
Cuba for all his life.

The family of Garcia, now 50, left Cuba shortly after Fidel Castro's
takeover, when Andy was a small boy.

Before a private dinner with Havel today, Garcia said it is impossible
to anticipate what will happen in Cuba. It is only necessary to hope and
pray for the changes, that can be expected one day, to be peaceful.

For 47 years it has been hoped that changes will occur soon, Garcia said.

He said he is meeting Havel because he highly esteems his activities in
support of human rights.

There are many people who have been doing much for Cuba. Mr.Havel is one
of them, Garcia said.

In the world, however, little is known about the existing oppression,
about the developments in Cuba, he added.

"I'm trying to encourage the dissidents in Cuba," said Havel, 69,
himself a former leading dissident in the Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia.

http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=197533

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