MIAMI, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented effort, a group of prominent legislators, journalists, and international activists will gather to discuss the current Cuban dissident movement on Sept. 9 at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel in Miami, announced the Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Directorate (``Directorio'').

``Conference for a Free Cuba: Coming Together for a Common Strategy,'' will focus exclusively on the growing civil resistance in Cuba, providing information about the movement and proposing ideas on how best to support it from abroad. The conference will serve as a forum for public debate led by the following speakers and panelists:

                                Guest Speakers

    * Mary O'Grady, columnist of The Wall Street Journal
    * Lorne Craner, President of the International Republican Institute
    * Christopher Sabatini, Senior Program Officer of Latin America and
the
      Caribbean for NED (National Endowment for Democracy)
    * Herminio San Roman, Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting
    * Cristian Castano, State Congressman of the National Action Party,
      Mexico
    * Lincoln Diaz-Balart, U.S. House of Representatives

                               Guest Panelists

    Cuban Resistance Members
    * Israel Abreu, 30th of November Revolutionary Movement
    * Juan Francisco Monzon, Marti Democratic Party
    * Lazaro Garcia Cernuda, Pro Human Rights Party Affiliated with the
Andrei
      Sajarov Foundation
    * Pedro Herrada, National Council for Civil Rights in Cuba
    * Ramon Antunez, Christian Liberation Movement
    * Vicky Ruiz Labrit, Cuban Feminine Unity

    International Activists
    * Zofia Romaszewska, Foundation in Defense of Human Rights, Poland
    * Gabriel Salvia, Atlas Foundation, Argentina
    * Rene Bolio, Organization for the International Promotion of Human
      Rights, Mexico
    * Miguel Mendez and Jose Luis Guerrero, Dominican Patriotic Youth,
      Dominican Republic

    U.S. Community Leaders and Activists
    * Kelly Chancy, Regional Coordinator of the Leadership Institute
    * Hank Tester, Reporter for WTVJ/NBC
    * Ana Carbonell, Regional Director of the office of Lincoln
Diaz-Balart
    * Silvia Iriondo, President of Mothers Against Repression (M.A.R.)
    * John Suarez, Coordinator of Free Cuba Foundation
    * Michael Zarin, Regional Program Director for Latin America and the
      Caribbean for the International Republican Institute

The conference will also showcase the premiere of ``Steps to Freedom,'' a video documentary made with footage from inside Cuba featuring interviews with opposition members and chronicling their acts of protest.

About the Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Directorate

The Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Directorate (``Directorio'') is an organization of a new generation of Cubans working for democracy in Cuba. A grassroots effort, the Directorio supports the opposition directly, maintaining that the primary agents for democratic change are on the island. Founded in 1990, the Directorio will celebrate its tenth anniversary with the conference.

To register for the event, please call 305-279-4416 or visit the Web site, www.directorio.org . For more information, please contact Orlando Gutierrez, Jannet Rivero, or Janisset Rivero, all of the Directorio, 305-279-4416, or e-mail, drdc5@directorio.org.

    Conference for a Free Cuba: Coming Together for a Common Strategy

    WHEN:  Saturday, Sept. 9
           8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
           Documentary and closing
           ceremony begin at 5:00 p.m.

    WHERE: Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel
           Brass Menagerie Room
           711 N.W. 72 Avenue
           Miami

SOURCE: Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Directorate

10:32 PM 08/28/2000