Lech Walesa: Change will come to Cuba

``It's going to happen, no doubt about it,'' Walesa said, speaking through an interpreter. ``But the world must be ready for the changes that will bring about,'' he cautioned.

Walesa, the guest speaker at a Tuesday $100-a-plate luncheon of the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba at the historic Freedom Tower, said the rest of the world needs to see the real Cuba -- and not the just island as ``a tourist attraction.''

As founder of the Solidarity Movement, Walesa led a nonviolent revolt against Poland's communist system in the 1980s. He has been working with the Cuban American National Foundation on how lessons from his movement can best be applied to support the work of civil society groups in Cuba.

``What from his movement can be applied to our struggles in Cuba?'' asked Omar Lopez Montenegro, executive director of the foundation for human rights.

Francisco ``Pepe'' Hernandez, president of the Cuban American National Foundation, who attended the luncheon, said, ``There are many Lech Walesas inside Cuba,''

``What's needed,'' Hernandez said, ``is for the world to join and support the struggle of the Cuba people, just as it did on Walesa's fight against the Polish government. World support is very important.''

Walesa said he believes ``our generation has the best chance to bring about change in the world'' and help push for moral governments.

``Values are more important than tanks and rockets,'' he aid.

At the event, Walesa was presented with the keys to the city by Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, who explained to Walesa the significance of the Freedom Tower, which is now owned by Miami Dade College.

``Thousands of Cuban exiles escaping communist were processed here,'' he said. Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa present him with the keys to the county.

``God bless you for fighting for the right of democracy,'' she told Walesa.

All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the efforts of the foundation to empower Cuban dissidents through direct assistance and support.