Havana, Cuba, Jun 7, 2007 / 10:00 am
The former president of Poland, Lech Walesa, one of the icons of the fall of Communism in his country, granted an interview to the independent Cuban press in which he called on Cubans not to lose their faith and to remember that “there is no universal model of transition.”
Walesa spoke with Dagoberto Valdes, the former director of the Catholic magazine Vitral, for an interview that was to be published by the magazine. Vitral was recently forced to cease publication but this week the blog Liberpress, which Valdes directs, posted the interview.
Asked about the case of Cuba, Walesa said, “All experiences are different. There is no universal model of transition. Each country and its citizens must find their own way. Nevertheless, we must remember that the human being has the potential to change himself and his surroundings. He has the power to free himself from fear. In this context, education and civic responsibility are very important.”
“Don’t lose faith! Think about civic activities, don’t doubt that your country awaits a great redefining and that when you have the change to get involved, do so,” he added.