Kliment Trenkov, Bulgaria

Organizing a meeting of so many people from different countries and backgrounds is a difficult task, which becomes even more difficult if done regularly. And when the meeting of the Centers for Pluralism takes place in such an "uncomfortable" place as Belarus, you get a good chance to see who really believes in IDEE's activities.

The meeting near Minsk this April was very successful, due mainly to the common spirit of the participants - despite some inconvenience at the hotel. For the Belarusan participants it was very good to get such support at the proper moment - in the face of the upcoming presidential elections.

The best idea of the meeting in Minsk was to invite people from Cuba. I believe the "Cuban connection" must be developed even though IDEE traditionally works in Europe. After several conversations with Mr. Javier de Cespedes in Minsk and Warsaw I concluded that after the fall of Castro's regime Cuba, will be in the same situation as Eastern and Central European countries in 1989-90. Then Cubans will have to begin organizing their state and economy, local democrats
will have to cooperate with emigration centers and later probably share power with emigration leaders.
Most importantly, Cubans must begin to create their own civic society! These and many other questions should be discussed at a special CfP meeting next year, because I'm sure Cuba's problems can't simply be solved by removing Castro and waiting for Uncle Sam to take care of everything else...

..."The best idea of the meeting was to invite people from Cuba"...

Organizing a meeting of so many people from different countries and backgrounds is a difficult task, which becomes even more difficult if done regularly. And when the meeting of the Centers for Pluralism takes place in such an "uncomfortable" place as Belarus, you get a good chance to see who really believes in IDEE's activities.

The meeting near Minsk this April was very successful, due mainly to the common spirit of the participants - despite some inconvenience at the hotel. For the Belarusan participants it was very good to get such support at the proper moment - in the face of the upcoming presidential elections.

The best idea of the meeting in Minsk was to invite people from Cuba. I believe the "Cuban connection" must be developed even though IDEE traditionally works in Europe. After several conversations with Mr. Javier de Cespedes in Minsk and Warsaw I concluded that after the fall of Castro's regime Cuba, will be in the same situation as Eastern and Central European countries in 1989-90. Then Cubans will have to begin organizing their state and economy, local democrats
will have to cooperate with emigration centers and later probably share power with emigration leaders.
Most importantly, Cubans must begin to create their own civic society! These and many other questions should be discussed at a special CfP meeting next year, because I'm sure Cuba's problems can't simply be solved by removing Castro and waiting for Uncle Sam to take care of everything else...