ALLIANCE FOR A NEW NATION

Our document does not aim at commingling numerous political currents and diverging views that will end in a short lived influence. We distance ourselves from generalizations and make proposals that leave no doubt as to the political philosophy of its signatories. In that manner we hope to have a deeper and more lasting effect upon the developments that will occur in Cuba. 

We want to clarify that this is not a project or plan for government. Governments are only formed by free, democratic, transparent elections. This is a program that will be presented to the Cuban people when it can act on its own destiny in free elections. 

Under the title of Alliance for a New Nation, we deal with topics such as: the unconditional freedom of all political prisoners, the legalization of political parties and civic organizations, the participation of exiles in the political process, the writing of a new constitution based on the Constitution of 1940 and other constitutions of the free world, development of election laws where present members of the dictatorship would be excluded as candidates, and the transformation of the present command economy into a free market economy where privatization of state properties will have a significant role. 

In this early stage, the document has been signed by representatives of the Centro de Informacion sobre Democracia, Frente Democratico Independiente “Elena Mederos”, Instituto Juvenil Cristiano de Estudios Sociales, Movimiento de Derechos Humanos Municipios de Cuba, Partido Nacionalista Democratico de Cuba, Partido Popular Joven Cuba, Partido Republicano de Cuba, Sindicato Independiente Cambio and Union Lucista. -----

Those interested in more details, can examine the following document or call Alfredo M. Cepero, Secretary General of the Nationalist Democratic Party of Cuba, at (305) 322-7111

ALLIANCE FOR A NEW NATION 

INTRODUCTION 

Every day there is more evidence of the maneuvers that the dictatorship does to guarantee the continuity of the communist political system. 

Nevertheless, the political opposition to the regime in and out of Cuba seeks ways that will permit the return to democracy and give the people the possibility of choosing a different future, in a framework of respect for human rights and a true working legal system. 

It is important that these civic and political organizations maintain their projects in an ethical level that will permit us to really change the ideological, judicial, and institutional basis in which the communist regime has operated for more than four decades. 

Cuba needs important changes that will permit a real representative and participatory democracy that will allow its citizens to develop their full potential.  To bring about these changes, it is necessary to have certain conditions that will lead to a true transition. 

On the other hand, we consider it necessary to clarify that we do not speak for all the opposition; that would be unrealistic. We only establish certain points by which the following organizations agree to work in unison. 

IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL FREEDOM TO ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE.

It is absolutely necessary that all repression against pro-democracy and pro-human rights activists be stopped immediately. It is incomprehensible to speak about the least willingness for change in the present dictatorship while hundreds are jailed for political activism and opposition. At the same time we consider of extreme importance that all pending legal actions against political activists be canceled. 

We seek to unite efforts in taking advantage of all available opportunities to expose the situation in which our jailed brothers and sisters find themselves, as well as promote solidarity with them. 

RECOGNITION AND LEGALIZATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND ASSOCIATIONS THAT MAKE UP THE GROWING CIVIL SOCIETY. 

The solution to the national crisis requires the participation of alternative political and civic movements. The mechanism to bring about this recognition and legalization are not difficult. It would be enough to activate Association Law #54 so that those organizations that have applied for legal recognition can operate in a normal manner. 

PARTICIPATION OF EXILES IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS. 

We are opposed to all arguments that aim to leave exiles outside the process of an opposition that seeks the democratization of Cuba. During many decades exiles have led the efforts for freedom and have lobbied the world to take notice of the reality inside Cuba. 

Exile is part of the Cuban nation and has a vast experience that can strengthen any process towards change that might occur in Cuba. Like men and women with strong democratic ideals in and out of the country, we have different view points on how to solve the national problems; but there is no doubt that we are all moved by as sacred responsibility towards the country and its people. These conditions should be a take off point to speak about a transition towards democracy. 

However, in order to guarantee the future of our nation, the transition toward democracy should take place taking into account the following points: 

CREATION OF A NEW MAGNA CARTA AND APPLICATION OF SECTIONS OF THE 1940 CONSTITUTION DURING THE TRASITION PROCESS. 

Cuba had and still has the fortune to have a constitutional text created in consensus and in a democratic process. The 1940 Constitution, even though it may have some omissions and defects, is considered by many jurists to have the right framework to set off a transition process. 

Democracy is only valid when fundamental rights of citizens are guaranteed. Title IV of the 1940 Constitution covers the majority of those rights, which need only be complemented with some social rights that have taken root in the last few years. It must be a priority for a new transition government to call for a new constitution. A new constitution should take in mind the experience of other countries that have created legal mechanisms to prevent the resurgence of totalitarian regimes. 

There are enough experts in Constitutional Law in and out of Cuba, who can create a new Magna Carta, taking as a basis the 1940 Constitution as well as other foreign constitutions. Once the text has been developed, it would be ratified by the democratically elected representatives of the people and later by popular referendum. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW ELECTIONS LAW.

There must be a process by which the first elections will take place without excluding any citizen with the right to vote. There must also be a national electoral census that collects data on all the citizens in and out of the country that wish to vote in elections. Those citizens holding now positions in the Popular Assembly, the Counsel of State, the Counsel of Ministers, or the Communist Party, must be excluded from running for elected office.  Also, those who persecuted pro-democracy and pro-human rights activists, and those who have violated human rights must also be excluded from running for elected office. 

TRANSFORMING A COMMAND ECONOMY INTO A MARKET ECONOMY. 

It is important to establish a market economy under which private property is a protected right. We emphasize that the speed in which privatization will take place is not as important as the solid framework in which it should take place. We must examine the transparency with which sales will take place and the adequacy of the prices available. After decades of paternalistic dictatorship, a transition government must have the responsibility to prevent the corruption and nepotism of the present system.  

CONCLUSION

The signatories of this document as representatives of our organizations agree to put all our efforts to reach these objectives. Acting through dialogue and consensus as members of an opposition, we seek to put in practice what we maintain. At the same time, we agree that this document will be valid as long as the communist regime or any camouflaged form of it or transition government rules Cuba. Thereafter, it is up to the same political and civic organizations to continue seeking positions that will benefit the Cuban people. Many think that it will be very difficult to reach the changes that Cuba needs so urgently; but placing citizens and their needs at the center of our efforts, we will work tirelessly towards a world of prosperity, liberty, and justice for our people inside the context of a New Nation. 

Signed this 20th of May of 2007, in the geographic territory and without borders of a New Cuban Nation whose children promise to serve and love her without difference as to where they may live.

Lic. Carlos Ríos Otero
Centro de Informació sobre Democracia

Alfredo M. Cepero
Partido Nacionalista Democrático de Cuba.

Carlos Miyares Falcón
Frente Democrático Independiente “Elena Mederos”

Rafael Ernesto Avila Pérez                                                         Partido Popular Joven Cuba

Rev. Ariel Arteaga Castellón
Inst. Juvenil Cristiano de Estudios Sociales.

Rev. Padre Ricardo Medina Salabarría
Partido Republicano de Cuba.

Pedro Moisés Calderín 
Movimiento de Derechos Humanos
Municipios de Cuba.

Carlos Ríos García
Sindicato Independiente Cambio

Yusniel Osorio Pérez
Unión Lucista.