The Miami Herald | EDITORIAL
Cuba's dissidents are not alone
OUR OPINION: Carter's visit brings hope and recognition
When former President Jimmy Carter last visited Cuba, in 2002, he
delivered a remarkable speech via the state-run media that criticized
the Castro dictatorship and exposed listeners to the truly revolutionary
idea that it's up to the Cuban people, not the one-party regime nor any
foreign government, to determine Cuba's future.
Naturally, his visit raised hopes that this might represent an
ever-so-small but significant breakthrough for democracy. Within months,
Fidel Castro dashed those hopes. The Cuban "black spring" of March 2003
saw the round-up and imprisonment of 75 dissidents on flimsy, capricious
charges designed to stifle any hint of political freedom or
accommodation. It was a vicious blow to the aspirations of millions of
Cubans and a testament to the enduringly repressive and capricious
nature of the hard-line Castro regime.
Mr. Carter's trip made sense back then, and so does his latest journey.
Neither visits by a former U.S. president nor even by the pontiff of the
Roman Catholic Church can change Cuba, but the visits are worthwhile.
Although he was unable to secure the release of detained American Alan
Gross, which was never in the cards, Mr. Carter was able to meet with
this imprisoned victim of Cuban state security and raise the issue with
Cuban officials.
His meetings with Cuba's brave band of democracy advocates also deserve
commendation.
Such meetings give the dissidents the imprimatur of recognition by an
individual who won the Nobel Peace Prize. It means they are not alone,
that their struggle has the support of all who fight for peaceful change
on behalf of political and human rights around the world. It gives the
dissidents hope, something always in short supply in Cuba. It means
their sacrifices are honored. It puts the government on notice that the
world is watching and will condemn any punishment that comes their way
from the repressive security apparatus.
This is especially important at a time when the Cuban people show signs
of growing impatience with the gerontocracy that rules the island and,
in particular, with Fidel Castro's long good-bye. Change in Cuba will
come at its own pace and will be determined by the will and
circumstances of its own people, but it will assuredly come. Until then,
those who aspire for a better Cuba deserve encouragement and support. To
that end, visits like Mr. Carter's are helpful.
What is decidedly not helpful, though, are comments by Mr. Carter
favoring the release of five Cuban spies held in American prisons. The
implicit quid pro quo is their release in exchange for the freedom of
Mr. Gross. This would be an unqualified mistake. There is no equivalency
whatsoever in these two cases. None can be acknowledged nor implied.
The Cuban spies were convicted of charges related to spying in an open
trial, with their case reviewed (twice) by a federal appellate court.
They had the benefit of lawyers committed to giving them the best
defense possible. Contrast this with Mr. Gross, who is no one's idea of
a spy. His "crime" was to bring unregistered communications equipment
onto the island for the use of marginalized groups.
For this, he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison by
a judicial authority that works hand-in-gloved fist with the
totalitarian government. That's justice, Castro-style.
The Obama administration has made overtures to the Cuban government. But
as long as Mr. Gross remains in prison, all moves toward better
relations will be frozen. Only by Cuba's actions can there be a thaw in
relations.
Tag: Dissident
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/31/2144019/cubas-dissidents-are-not-alone.html
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