How do you say “open your eyes” in French?

Noted Cuban author Zoe Valdes has written an excellent letter to French politician Jack Lang, who was sent to Cuba by President Sarkosy as a special envoy. It’s in Spanish but I’ve translated an excerpt that identifies the problem of democratic nations trying to negotiate with the castro regime.

You may have realized how, just days after your stay [in Cuba], some important members of the cupola of power in Cuba, with whom you probably had conversations, have been purged with Stalinist style, including (almost identical) mea culpa letters signed by the former Ministers Felipe Perez Roque and Carlos Lage. Both had participated in the repression of dissent and the subjugation of our people. But it’s evident, not even they were safe from a sudden act of repression. The Castro brothers have always believed that the country and the people who live are their property and that they can do to anyone whatever they please.

We will not mourn over the fate of these dignitaries who were dismissed by the only possible heir to the dynasty in power, Raúl Castro. But it would be good for you to consider whether you can really rely on your circumstantial interlocutors. The president, who (is it necessary to remind you?) was never elected —the same with his big brother who is now virtually invisible— by a truly representative body in the last half century (half a century!), has kept none of the promises he’s made to foreign personalities that pay him homage, visiting one after another without requiring anything from him in return. However, he does not have slightest democratic legitimacy. Treating him with honor, formally acknowledging him, means running roughshod over the aspirations of freedom for all Cubans, both in the island and in exile.

Now Zoe and other Cubans that are living in Europe are not necessarily considered “hard liners” but her letter clearly shows that the only way for Cuba to advance is some sort of regime change. Framed in this way I have to wonder how anyone can believe otherwise. Any policy that doesn’t reflect the strategy of regime change is counterproductive.

After setting the scene Valdes hopes that Lang’s visit and relations with those in power can contribute to the liberty of the country. She talks about the Black Spring and mentions that Lang had been supportive of the Cuban dissidents arrested during it and expresses he desire to see him again speak out on their behalf.

I see this second approach as having much more probability of succeeding. The regime won’t be convinced to do anything. It needs to be forced. And the way to force it is to denounce it and remove its allies. Western democracies like France need to join in the fight for Cuban liberty and stop aiding and abetting the regime.

H/T: Penultimos Dias