Remarks delivered by CANF Chairman Jorge Mas Santos at Cuban Independence Day Luncheon

Cuban Independence Day Celebration

Thursday, May 20^th, 2010

The Hilton Hotel

Miami, FL

Welcome to all our guests as well as our distinguished keynote speaker, Assistant Secretary of State, Dr. Arturo Valenzuela.  We are specially honored by the presence of several of Cuba’s bravest dissidents and members of Las Damas de Blanco Maria Elena Alpizar, Yolanda Huerga, Blanca Reyes, Susana Alvarez, Yoanna Sanchez, Alain Castillo, Pedro Pable Alvarez, Grissel Recarei, Miguel Sigler y Josefa Lopez.

Nosotros, y la Patria entera les damos las gracias por su valentía y dedicación y nos honramos con su presencia.   

Today we are brought together in commemoration of the birth of the Cuban Republic.  A dream realized over 100 years ago by the sacrifice of several generations of Cuban patriots.  Five decades later, the promise of their sacrifice has been stifled under the repressive rule of the most cruel regime in the history of our Hemisphere. Despite time, the distance and the disappointments, a new generation of Cubans, both on the island and in exile, are firmly committed to following the example of our forefathers to continue, with renewed energy and determination, the battle for Cuba’s freedom so that Cuban Independence Day can be celebrated, once and forever, on the shores of our homeland rather than in exile. 

 Al pasar mi mirada por sobre este salón, reconozco las caras de muchos hombres y mujeres que han dedicado décadas enteras desus vidas a la causa de la libertad de Cuba. Hombres y mujeres que han sacrificado tiempo, energia, familia y fortuna en una lucha lenta, ardua y tortuosa por abrirle caminos de paz y libertad a nuestros hermanos de la Isla.  Hoy, los vemos aquí, nuevamente diciéndole presente a la Patria, con el mismo fervor, con la misma esperanza, conscientes que, pese a lo largo del camino, al dolor y las frustraciones, no podemos abandonar la lucha porque en la Isla esclava, once millones de Cubanos requieren de nuestra solidaridad para alcanzar la libertad…. y la libertad, como dijera José Marti “cuesta muy cara, y es necesario, o resignarse a vivir sin ella, o decidirse a comprarla por su precio.”

Today, Cuba traverses through one of the most critical moments of its history.   The chorus of brave voices in Cuba becomes louder every day.  The courageous acts of our brothers and sisters in Cuba call us to do more.  What more inspiration to continue the struggle than to see the brave and determined faces of Las Damas de Blanco as they march peacefully through the streets of Havana, while confronted and attacked by Castro’s mobs, and still return the very next day to continue their peaceful protest.  How can we not want to do more when we are stirred by the eloquent and bold writings of a Yoani Sanchez.  How can we give up when just months ago, a fearless man named Orlando Zapata Tamayo paid the ultimate price so that others might one day live free.  The answer is:  WE CANNOT and WE WILL NOT.

 Events in Cuba over the course of the past year have demonstrated that Cuba’s dissident movement is becoming stronger despite the repression; it is becoming more organized in spite of the arbitrary detentions, its voice is increasingly being heard and respected by world governments and international bodies.  Yet it is not enough to recognize their plight, the United States and the free nations of the world need to build a multilateral policy towards Cuba that places the respect for human rights as the centerpiece; one that recognizes Cuban dissidents not as isolated activists but as unified voices and valid representatives of the dreams and aspirations of the Cuban people.  We need to view them as the powerful vehicles of change that they are, for when change does come; it will be because of their unyielding efforts. 

Change in Cuba will no doubt come from within, but the question we must ask ourselves is whether we become participants in that change by empowering the Cuban people with the tools they need to succeed in their effort or will we merely act as bystanders as they face incredible yet surmountable odds?

 In the last year and a half, U.S. policy has undergone some positive changes, allowing the flow of family remittances, facilitating humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, and support for Cuba’s dissidents through a relaxation in family travel rules. Still, we must do more; we must take the next step by restructuring and increasing the effective use of two of our best tools in the promotion of democracy-our transmissions to Cuba through Radio and TV Marti, and our program of assistance in development of civil society and peaceful opposition inside the island.  A reinvigorated and restructured Radio and Television Marti under new leadership is critical to providing news and information to the Cuban people, not just about the world around them, but more importantly, about the brave acts of their fellow citizens. 

 The programs to promote democracy in Cuba should continue to be vigorously funded and we urge the Congress to move expeditiously to remove the hold on its funding.  At the same time we urge the Administration to continue its overhaul of the program to place proper oversight and controls to ensure that the overwhelming majority of funds are going to directly support the work and alleviate the needs of Cuba’s dissidents.  

 We are extremely gratified with Dr. Valenzuela’s presence here today because Cuba’s fate is inextricably tied to its Latin American neighbors.  We need look only at how Venezuela has gone from a democratic, prosperous nation, to one that increasingly denies its citizen’s basic rights and privileges and whose economy is on a rapid down spiral.   For many years, U.S. policy toward Latin American had become an afterthought. Our policy was geared towards responding to events rather than building and furthering relationships and partnerships.   While the Administration has already begun to help repair relations with many of our Latin American neighbors, we are anxious to witness what progress lies ahead. 

 It is undeniable that our destinies are intertwined with that of our hemispheric neighbors and that we are only strong when our neighbors are also prosperous and free.  We are encouraged by the Administration’s efforts to build consensus and multilateral platforms.  Now is the time to engage with our Latin American allies to stem the resurging tide of repressive governments like those of the Castro brothers in Cuba, Chavez in Venezuela and others. 

 Our diplomatic efforts in Latin America could have hardly been placed in more experienced and reliable hands than those of our special guest today. Dr. Arturo Valenzuela previously served as Professor of Government and Director of the Center for Latin American Studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He is a specialist on the origins and consolidation of democracy, Latin American politics, electoral systems, civil-military relations, political parties, regime transitions and U.S.-Latin American relations.  He has previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs in the United States Department of State during the Clinton Administration and later served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Inter-American Affairs at the National Security Council. 

 We are honored to call him our Assistant Secretary of State, and more importantly, our friend, please welcome, Dr. Arturo Valenzuela.