Havana, Jan 5 (IANS/EFE) Cuba’s prominent opposition leader Oswaldo Paya has asked his countrymen to participate in a forum that will seek changes in the communist-ruled country.
Paya, recipient of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize, announced the creation of the Foro Cubano (Cuban Forum) to work for change, a group that will be open to all Cubans, both inside and outside the country, starting on Tuesday.

“It’s not a new project, it’s a new step to empower and achieve through solidarity the objectives of all the peaceful, collective and personal projects and initiatives that represent advances in the rights of citizens and reconciliation among Cubans,” Paya said in his statement.

He also noted that the Forum will seek options for an improvement in the quality of life, “spiritual and humane promotion” and the preservation of the environment in the country.

Paya said that among the basic elements that the Forum identifies itself with are love for country, transparency, participation and freedom.

“We’ve come to the year 2010. This is the time of the people; it’s the time of change because we Cubans have already decided and yearned for change in our minds and hearts and we know what the changes are that we want and we have the strength of will to realise them,” the statement added.

— IANS/EFE

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