Opposition reformer says referendum is a calculated risk

By TRACEY EATON / The Dallas Morning News

HAVANA – In a bold move that is unheard of in Cuba, opposition groups say they have collected enough signatures to try to force a national referendum asking
Cubans whether they want democratic reforms.

"It takes time. It takes effort. And it's life-threatening to the people who do it," said Puerto Rican Francisco de Armas, who supports the effort from outside Cuba.

Some government officials question the validity and legality of the effort, dubbed the Varela Project.

Under the Cuban constitution, citizens who collect 10,000 signatures can compel the government to hold a straw poll asking for legislative changes. That doesn't mean the changes would be adopted; they would have to be considered by the National Assembly.

Still, no one until now has tried to collect signatures, said Varela Project coordinator Oswaldo Payá.

It's been a daunting task because, he said, more than 300 signature collectors have been beaten, harassed, kidnapped, threatened or jailed over the past year.

Government officials vehemently deny that Cuban authorities abuse dissidents.

"Here, people don't work that way. I can assure you that no one here has ever been tortured, kidnapped or disappeared," said Carlos Samper of the Communist Party's Office of Religious Affairs.

Mr. Samper is familiar with the Varela Project because it is closely associated with the Christian Liberation Movement, an unauthorized group that Mr. Payá heads.
A group of Roman Catholics founded the civic-political group in 1988 and now has Protestants among its members.

Joining the movement in adopting the Varela Project were 142 other dissident groups, Mr. de Armas said.

The Varela Project proposes laws that would guarantee greater basic liberties, free enterprise and electoral reforms.

Among the specifics, supporters are asking for expanded freedom of expression; the right to form private enterprises; amnesty for political prisoners; access to the
media; and the right to form independent social, political, economic and other groups.

Mr. Samper said there is no need for a referendum. Cuba's political system allows for constant citizen participation in forums, roundtables and other venues, he said.

"There's a referendum in Cuba every day."

He also questioned whether all the signatures would be valid. Mr. Payá's group, he said, has a reputation for going around to churches and getting "little old ladies to
sign the petitions even though they don't know what they're signing."

According to some municipal officials, the Varela Project may not be legal because it conflicts with constitutional provisions that forbid any actions that "go against the
people's decision to construct socialism."

Mr. Payá, 49, said he has been detained several times for his efforts and has been threatened with a long prison sentence.

Cuban President Fidel Castro recently mentioned his name during a televised speech, calling him a "counter-revolutionary."

Such dissidents "are working to destroy the revolution," Mr. Samper said. They have "the support of the enemies of Cuba," including anti-Castro Cubans in Miami
and American intelligence agents.

No doubt, American officials have taken note of the Varela Project.

Vicki Huddleston, the top American diplomat in Cuba, said she considers the effort important.

Mr. Payá and other dissidents "represent the silent majority," she said. "These people will play an important role in the future of Cuba. Don't count those people out."

As for the 10,000 signatures, they are being transported to Havana from outlying provinces.