Untitled - Convivencia

Rights and urged again the CubanGovernment to make real the commitmentto human rights it has demonstratedthrough the signing of these two humanrights covenants”.c. It asserts again that it will continue thedialogue with the three sectors of the Cubansociety: government, opposition and civilsociety. It mentions and differentiates for thefirst time, these three social actors:“The Council confirmed its renewedcommitment to and the relevance ofthe Common Position of 1996, andreaffirmed its determination to pursue adialogue with the Cuban authorities aswell as with representatives of civilsociety and democratic opposition, inaccordance with EU policies, in order topromote respect for human rights andreal progress towards a pluralistdemocracy”.d. It underlines that it will offer supportfor a pacific change and asks theCuban Government to grant freedomof information and expression,including the access to Internet:“The Council underlined that the EU willcontinue to offer to all sectors of societypractical support towards peaceful changein Cuba. The EU also reiterated its call onthe Cuban Government to grant freedom ofinformation and expression including accessto the Internet and invited the CubanGovernment to cooperate on this matter”.e. It asserts again that it will maintainthe contacts with the democraticopposition. It thus recognizes, oncemore, as opponets, the ones theCuban Government calls mercenariesand traitors:“The Council reaffirmed that its policy forEU contacts with the democratic oppositionremains valid. During high level visits,human rights issues should always beaddressed; when appropriate, meetings withthe democratic opposition will be part of highlevel visits”.f. It establishes a time and a content for theevaluation of this process of politicaldialogue and it underlines again paragraphtwo about the respect for human rights and theliberation of political prisoners:“On the occasion of the annual review of theCommon Position, the Council will proceed inJune 2009 to an evaluation of its relationswith Cuba including the effectiveness of thepolitical dialogue process. Following that date,the dialogue will continue if the Councildecides that it has been effective, takinginto account in particular the elementscontained in para 2 above".We consider that these Conclusions of theEuropean Union have placed in the center of thematter, in a clear and reiterated way, the twofoundations that cannot be waived and mustrule the international relationships in today’sworld: the respect for human rights and thecooperation for development. In that order andwith that priority.We appreciate these Conclusions as a lesson ofpacient international politics and maximumrespect and tolerance until trying everydiplomatic resource when dealing with systemsthat are not attached to democratic norms.Norms that are inclusive and defend the HumanRights. Norms that are internationallyrecognized, even by Cuba itself.These Conclusions are good for the communityof european nations: Once more they havegiven an opportunity to civilized dialogue. Agood opportunity for the Cuban people: Oncemore we receive the attention, theacknowledgement of our citizen sovereigntyand the solidarity for a democratic pluralistchange on this part of the internationalcommunity. And a good opportunity for theCuban government: Once more it has beenrespected, considered as a valid party for apolitical comprehensive dialogue, open,reciprocal, non-discriminatory, and for the seekof tangible results and furthermore it receivesthe opportunity to integrate itself to theinstruments of cooperation for developmentthat the European Union offers.This has been the gesture and the letter. A signof respect and confidence for the new Cubangovernment as well as for the democraticopposition and the civil society. Now we have toexpect the answers and the facts from theCuban Government and from the very EuropeanUnion when putting into practice theseEdiciones ConvivenciaPinar del Río. 201223