Julio 25, 1997

Note From The Cuban Council National Delegate

July 22, 1997

In a telephone conversation yesterday with José Basulto, President of Brothers to the Rescue, Leonel Morejon Almagro, Cuban Council National Delegate, requested support and solidarity and condemned the recent wave of repression which the Cuban regime has unleashed against the main leaders of the newly created internal opposition group, the Cuban National Alliance.

Leonel Morejon Almagro was threatened with 25 years in prison after he and other leaders of the Alliance presented a document at the offices of the State Council and the National Assembly of the Popular Power in Havana on July 17th requesting a plebiscite to determine whether the Cuban people are in agreement with the regime.

"This demonstrates a lack of tolerance on the part of the Cuban government for anyone having the moral and civil courage to request a minimum of legality and transparency in public situations. We call on all people of goodwill who can hear us, wherever they are, to prevent the Cuban government from lashing out again against the internal opposition", pronounced the Cuban opposition leader.

Brothers to the Rescue reiterated to Morejon Almagro its commitment to support all civil opposition efforts inside Cuba and the desire to work together for a change towards democracy. "We feel that we are on the same wavelength, and believe that we have acquired even a greater responsibility in terms of assistance to the internal opposition movement", said Basulto.

"We are complying with a fundamental obligation and with the present historic needs of the country", declared Leonel Morejon Almagro.