letter(s) of august to Obama

I wrote two letters.
Learning the second, you’ll understand why.

August 2nd 2010

Mister President Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.

Washington DC 20500

Mister President,

We’re coming into the twelfth anniversary of the incarceration of the Cuban Five -René González, Ramón Labañino, Gerardo Hernández, Fernando González and Antonio Guerrero- these patriots are still behind bars in your country.

And yet, just a little reflection leads us to realize the outrageousness of this incredible affair. To see five men arrested and condemned to prison because they were fighting against terrorism, had just uncovered attacks being prepared, and had tried to warn the government, is mind boggling!

It is true that in this zone where law and order hardly exists, the Miami area, one is more inclined to protect the terrorists than those fighting against them! As Judy Orihuela, Miami FBI spokesman said, “The Cuban-American terrorist commandos do not constitute a priority for the federal police in the South of Florida.” (the Sun-Sentinel 4/6/2004).

If your fellow citizens were correctly informed, which is sadly not the case, of the Cuban Five’s incredible, tragic and harrowing adventure, they would break out laughing before breaking down in tears of shame for the United States.

Very fortunately, thanks to the efforts of militants devoted to justice, in spite of official disinformation, more and more people in the United States are being informed and demanding that the lamentable injustice that has stricken these five Cubans be brought to an end.

All over the world, initiatives for making known and denouncing this denial of justice, are multiplying. For example, Maurice Lemoine, a French reporter and writer, has well assessed the monstrosity of this situation and has written a thriller based on it – “The Story of the Cuban Five”, coming out next October 7th.

The subtitle of this novel perfectly resumes the situation – “They infiltrated the terrorist network, and they’re rotting away in prison.” Maurice Lemoine worked on his book for almost four years but, he says: “It was totally out of the question to not stick to the strict historical facts. Of course it’s a novel but it’s a historical novel, not a fairy tale! Only the names of the protagonists were slightly modified. Everything else is a scrupulous transcription of the real facts, which are reconstructed in their geographical, sociological and political context.” (“Cuba Si” April 2010).

Knowing this writer’s talent, there is not the slightest doubt that this novel will produce a dramatic shock wave equal to the unbelievable tragedy that the Cuban Five are going through. Their real-life story is one of the major judiciary scandals of our time.

Meanwhile, the Cuban Five are still imprisoned in a country that calls itself a grand democracy.

Gerardo Hernandez is now the only one among the Cuban Five locked up in a high-security prison where living conditions are particularly hard. There he is serving two life sentences plus 15 years, whereas he is innocent of the charges held against him. He has the painful privilege of being the first person in the history of the United States to accused of the shooting down of small airplanes by the armed forces of a nation defending its airspace.

The Public Prosecutor himself recognized that proving such an accusation would be “an insurmountable obstacle”. He therefore demanded, at the last minute, the withdrawal of this accusation, which was refused by Judge Lenard. Nevertheless, the jury took just a few minutes to declare Gerardo Hernandez guilty !!!

Don’t you think; Mister President, that the moment has come to put an end to this scandal?

The Cuban government, in accepting to release 52 prisoners, mercenaries financed by the United States for counter-revolutionary activities, has opened the door to discussions with your country. We are truly hoping that you would take advantage of the Cuban leader’s offer of friendly discussions in signing the “executive clemency” order that would, at last, give these five Cubans their liberty back. In this way, and only in this way, could new relations begin to be established between the United States and Cuba.

Hoping that this letter will be the last one asking for liberty for the Cuban Five, please receive, Mister President, the expression of my most sincere humanitarian wishes.

Jacqueline Roussie

Translated by Bill Peterson

Copies sent to: Mrs. Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Mr. Harry Reid, and Mr. the Ambassador of the USA in France.

And now the second letter:

Mister President,

I have just finished this letter and have learned that since the 21st of July, Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo has once again been confined in lock down, the very sad « hole » of your prisons. All attempts to get in touch with the prison authorities by key Cuban people, were left without answers.

I will now complete my letter with the following facts:

This is not the first time that Gerardo has been locked down; this has never been due to behavioral issues, but only when a justice appeal is underway, like in 2003. This time it is the preparation of the writ Habeas Corpus, which of course is compromised as Gerardo cannot communicate with his lawyers, being unable to write or phone. His sister Isabel, who could visit him, mentioned that he arrived with chains on his feet and handcuffs. She could only speak to him behind a glass.

Such inhumane measures represent an intolerable refusal of Gerardo rights towards an impartial justice. I wish to describe certain aspects of the situation:

First Gerardo is locked 24 hours in a cell of 2 meters by 1 meter shared with another prisoner; Aeration is only through a slot on top of one wall. Temperatures can reach 35° Celsius, as Adelanto prison is located in a semi-desert zone of California.

Such “living conditions “are inhuman! And lead to problems of both physical and mental health, unsurprisingly Gerardo suffers from high blood pressure
This is directly attributable to both his living conditions and traumatizing circumstances.

Finally, since last April, he contracted a bacterial infection which is currently contaminating enclosed prisons. He requested a medical appointment to cure this bacterial infection. He finally obtained a visit with the doctor on 20th of July. The following day he was placed in lock down. Necessary analysis could not be completed and therefore no treatment could be prescribed or medication given.

Your government has been deeply worried about the health of the “Cuban dissidents”. These persons were regularly checked by qualified doctors. Your attitude towards Gerardo Hernandez is totally unacceptable.

Once more we deplore the double language of the U.S.A.

We cannot accept that Gerardo is the victim of the disingenuous policies the U.S.A. have against Cuba.

We ask you Mister President, that Gerardo be treated with dignity and humanity.

Please accept my most respectful and humanist regards.

Jacqueline Roussie