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Cuba
Edging Cuba Closer to Freedom, Step-by-Step
USAID Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the
Caribbean Adolfo Franco was on hand at the International Republican
Institute (IRI) in December for the release of the 2004 Steps to Freedom report.
 The
annual publication-produced by The Cuban Democratic Directorate
and supported by IRI and USAID-chronicles actions taken by
Cuban citizens as they continue their struggle to bring freedom
and democracy to their island. The report documents the personal
risks Cubans take as they toil for freedom and a democratic
future for their country.
"The report is a document of hope for the people of Cuba," said Franco. "The sense of inspiration it provides is recognition that what they're fighting for is indeed worth the struggle and worth the sacrifice, which is for the freedom of Cuba."
Cuba Transition Coordinator for the U.S. Department of State Caleb McCarry and IRI President Lorne Craner also participated in the event.
"The report we are releasing today is an indicator of just how alive and well the pro-democracy movement is in Cuba. This year's report shows that acts of nonviolent resistance in Cuba are on the rise as citizens act to bring an end to political repression and dictatorship," said Craner.
 Representatives
of the Cuban Democratic Directorate were on hand to present
the specific findings of the report, which documents more
than 1,800 acts of nonviolent resistance.
USAID has provided IRI with grants from its Cuba program since 1997, beginning with the distribution of educational materials to activists inside the country. In partnership with the Cuban Democratic Directorate, they have provided the people with literature on the transitions of former Soviet and Latin American countries to democracy.
Download report at http://www.iri.org/pdfs/StepsToFreedom2004.pdf.
(PDF 3.67MB)
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