By Ulises Cabrera. Independent Press Agency in Cuba, (APIC).
HAVANA, February 24, 1997 (APIC).- The Cuban capital woke up today under an unusual tension, not really because today is the 102nd anniversary of the start of the glorious and definitive war of independence last century, led by Marti, Gomez, and Maceo. The date coincides with the incident last year of the trip for democracy of Brothers to the Rescue, and the shootdown of two planes of Cuban exiles, with certain victims. This was a different anniversary, closer and ours.
Freedom must always be paid for with a high price, and those of us who survive in Cuba know full well how much we must pay for it. Or course, we are paying for it, but not with arms crossed, but rather actively and trying to rebuild a future, a democracy and a country of laws for us all.
In the beautiful and solemn church of Merced, in Old Havana, where we were able in our happy past in the 1950's to take chatechism classes and taking our first communion, they held this morning a Holy Mass for the souls of those fallen last year. It was, naturally, an explicit expression of Cuban religiousness, but also of the political and social will (of the people). The church was totally packed by the faithful and friends of freedom.... and also inevitably by guards dressed in civilian clothing. Our church, its clergy, was definetly up to the situation.
In the church of Saint Augustin, in Marianao, there were some positive incidents, the mass was suspended and the temple was closed temporarily. This afternoon we expect a mass to be held in the Havana church of the Sacred Heart.
>From other points in the capital and provinces they are reporting that masses are being held for the anniversary, and, of course, incidents. The majority of the population is Catholic and the Church can and must help a great deal in the needed process of change. On this anniversary, it took what we view to be a very positive attitude.
On the other hand, the tense atmosphere of this February 24th is also infused by the promised support from abroad. The Cubans "within" know that the dawn must be shaped by us all, our brothers in exile and those of us here. The new republic, as dreamt by Marti, is the wish and duty of all.