Sanctions could hurt democratic efforts in Cuba

HAVANA - Leading Cuban dissidents said Monday that President Bush&#39;s continued support of trade sanctions and other hardline policies toward Cuba could hurt their efforts to force a democratic opening on the communist island. <br> <br> ``Changes have to be made but changes have to be made on both sides,&#39;&#39; said Vladimiro Roca, who was released from prison earlier this month just two months short of his five-year sentence. <br> <br> Vladimiro Roca says dialogue, negotiation and reconciliation will do more than continued U.S. hardline policies, reacting to Bush&#39;s speech earlier Monday in Washington on Cuba policy. <br> <br> There was no immediate response from the Cuban government. But before the speech, the government announced that Bush&#39;s message would be subject of an official television program this evening. <br> <br> Roca and veteran human rights activist Elizardo Sanchez, both of whom watched coverage of the president&#39;s speech on CNN, said that Bush&#39;s address was more moderate than they originally expected. <br> <br> They said they found several parts of it positive, especially Bush&#39;s call for a resumption of postal service between the two countries and his reference to the Varela Project reform referendum. <br> <br> Former President Jimmy Carter also mentioned the Varela Project last week in an unprecedented live speech to the Cuban people. It was the first time that most Cubans had ever heard of the petition drive, which has gathered more than 11,000 voters&#39; signatures. <br> <br> The proposal seeks a national vote on guarantees of civil rights such as freedom of speech, as well as the right to own a business, an amnesty for political prisoners and electoral reform. Cuban officials have given little hope for its success.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/5/202166