|
January 26, 2001
Received by telephone January 26, 2001 from Rafael Contrera, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, to Martha Tamargo, USA. Translation Constant Persecution of Political Prisoner in Pinar del Rio Rafael Contrera, Cuba Free Press The political prisoner, Ramon Suarez Diaz, remains persecuted in the Provincial Prison of Pinar del Rio by authorities of the Ministry of the Interior, as testified by a source to a family member of the outstanding fighter for human rights. The official, Mario, told Ramon that commencing now public visitations are prohibited. Visits to Ramon Suarez Diaz will take place in the offices of the prison and agents of the order will be present. This is in violation of the privacy of the prisoner and his family. Ramon Suarez, Official Delegate of the “Partido 30 de Noviembre “Frank Pais”, in Pinar del Rio, is completing his sentence depriving him of his freedom. He was arrested last October 5th while placing signs and other symbols against the regime on the Island of Cuba. |
|
January 28, 2001
Report from Rafael Contrera, Delegate of 30th of November “Frank Pais”, in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, by telephone January 28, 2001, 11:00 a.m. to Martha Tamargo, USA. Translated. Yesterday four of our members were detained and threatened to not do anything today in commemoration of the 148th anniversary of the birth of Jose Marti. Today we are going to have a meeting or study in honor of Jose Marti, the results of which we will divulge later. The group will consist of a small group of members of the 30th of November and two reporters: Ana Margarita Gil and Rene OÔate. We will also conduct a study on an old edition of a newspaper I have called “Patria” and later we’ll have a debate. After that, at sunrise, we will go to La Habana for meeting with the international press and with whatever independent journalists want to go. We believe we will be able to get there although we’re not sure how it will end. I think Odalys will be here today but maybe she has been detained or the state security has not allowed her to come. It’s possible that she was threatened last night. I have not had any communications with her. The activity we have prepared is simple and will not offend anyone. |
|
January 27, 2001
From the Center of Information on Democracy in Cuba It is reported that at 1:30 in the afternoon on the 27th of January, 2001, in the Province of Guantanamo, the following brothers were detained: Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller (Delegate from 30th of November Party”), Alberto Martinez Fernandez (President of the Club of Political Prisoners), Viviana Romero Vidal (President of the School of Doctors), Enerdi Garcia Sanchez (Independent Farmers of of the NAI), Ramon Lopez Leon (Delegate of the Human Rights Party) and Roni Viscaino Blanco de Analla (Club of Political Prisoners). They were taken to the Department of Operations of the Department of State, where they were given warning notices because of the activities which the opposition has scheduled in Guantanamo in commemoration of the birth date of our Apostle, Jose Marti. We were threatened that if we continue to conduct this commemoration we would be arrested. I would like to point out that Viviana Romero has a 3 month old baby, who breast feeds. Viviana was held in said Department until 7:30 pm, at which time we were all set free under a very strict surveillance, which is still being maintained. Yesterday and today the State Security of Guantanamo has imposed the largest strike force ever and has maintained all of its enforcers on the streets including the police, officials from the Department of State Security, brigades of rapid response teams, and agents and collaborators. The officials from the State Security which participated in this detention were Major Eddy Caraballo, Major Endogen, First Tenant Lamuruc, Major Luisa and various other officials. From the Center of Information on Democracy, Cuba, transmitted telephonically by Ferdinando Castro de Lardiller. |
|
January 27, 2001
Translation of telephone call from de Mercedes Clementina Constantin from the Center of Information, La Habana, Cuba. During the early hours of this morning, Saturday, January 27, 2001, in a large operative by the state security, Maria Ester Valdes Suarez was taken from her home. Maria Ester is the wife of Jose Orlando Bridon, Secretary General of CTDC (Confederacion de Trabajadores de Cuba – Confederation Cuban Workers). Jose Orlando is a political prisoner who has been imprisoned for some time now and is in extremely bad health. Mercedes Constanin said “There is so much surveillance. They are watching us so much here – constantly – that I have not been able to find out how they are.” |