New York Times Cuban Dissident Ends Tour Hopeful of Democratic Reform
By David Gonzalez
Jan. 18, 2003
Cuba’s leading dissident ended his visit to the United States and Mexico today, saying he was confident that the international community supported democratic reforms in his country.
Oswaldo Paya, the originator of the Varela Project, which seeks a referendum on human, economic and political rights, said he received encouragement this week from President Vicente Fox of Mexico. Although Mexico had been a longtime uncritical ally of Cuba, Mr. Fox has had a testy relationship with Cuba’s president, Fidel Castro.
Mr. Paya, who is also the founder of the Christian Liberation Movement, began his trip last month when Havana allowed him to travel outside Cuba to receive the European Union’s top human rights prize. He has since met with Pope John Paul II and Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.
»I think I am receiving a message from the world for the Cuban people which has symbolism for the project,» he said in a telephone interview today from Mexico City. »They are openly saying that Cuba is not alone and there is solidarity that can bring a new dimension. In Cuba, the government made people think the world was complacent with the system and that Cuba is an island of liberty. But now the world is saying we have rights.»
While in Washington, Mr. Paya met with many legislators and Bush administration officials, who he said had encouraged him to continue to seek a Cuban solution to the island’s political and social problems. He said he did not want economic backing, but only moral support.
»The United States is saying respect the right of the Cuban people to bring about peaceful change,» he said. »They have no intention of imposing a solution on us.»
Cuban officials have often dismissed the opposition as a small group financed by the United States. In Miami, some exiles have rejected Mr. Paya for working within a system they deem illegitimate.
But Joe Garcia, the executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation, said it was more important to recognize that Mr. Paya was trying to bring about changes that would ultimately help Cuba.
»There are a lot of heroes in struggle for Cuban freedom,» he said. »Some of those are maimed victims who walk our streets in Miami. What is amazing about this guy is he walks in Cuba. We have got to support him whether we agree with every dot and period in that document.»
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Mr. Paya expects to return to Cuba in a few days.
»I hope to see my family, my people and my land,» he said. »And then to continue the struggle, to keep working.»
A version of this article appears in print on Jan. 18, 2003, Section A, Page 6 of the National edition with the headline: Cuban Dissident Ends Tour Hopeful of Democratic Reform.