Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Adrian Suarez Avila/ News Director
Martin Palouš spent a portion of his life living in a totalitarian regime in Czechoslovakia under Gustáv Husák, which collapsed in 1989.
Palouš, the former Czech ambassador to the United States, ex-Permanent Representative to the United Nations for the Czech Republic and director of the Václav Havel Initiative for Human Rights & Diplomacy at the University, admits that the transitional phase of his country in 1989 is similar to the situation that several Cubans may find themselves in following President Barack Obama’s declaration last December to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba.
In light of this declaration, the Václav Havel Initiative for Human Rights & Diplomacy will be hosting a panel discussion on the future of the island and its ties with the United States and the European Union.
The event, titled, “Cuba and the World in 2015 Between the Past and the Future,” will examine the nation’s place in the international realm at the moment and its future.
The panel will host four distinguished scholars who will examine the debate surrounding the new diplomatic ties.
The panelists are Alexis Jardines, the Perez Bengochea scholar in residence for the Václav Havel Initiative who will speak on Fidel Castro’s legacy and Raul Castro’s reforms; Carlos Alberto Montaner, a journalist and author who will lecture on the future of U.S.-Cuba relations; Frank Mora, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Center will speak about the regional relationships of Cuba; and Palouš, who will moderate the panel and speak on the opportunities and challenges of the bilateral treaty between Cuba and the European Union.
Palouš admitted that President Obama’s executive order regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba is not enough to ensure that change will happen. He added that he was aware that people stand on one of two sides of the reactionary continuum regarding the issue, as some are in favor and some opposed.
In addition to the United States, the European Union has already started working on establishing ties with the Caribbean nation, according to Palouš.
The bilateral discussions between the EU and Cuba involve looking at the future of the nation in light of the diplomatic ties that have been established. He said that at the heart of these discussions is the issue human rights.
Supervised by the School of International and Public Affairs, the Václav Havel Center for Human Rights and Democracy addresses, among other things, the need of preserving and researching the upheld values of nations that have experienced oppression by helping these countries come to terms with democracy and human rights, according the Center’s informational packet.
Palouš mentioned that if people want to consider Cuba in the world in 2015 it’s important to take a look at the nation’s relations with the United States because of the economic aspect concerning the embargo
“The biggest problem with Cuba, I think, now is that, with all due respect, cuba is not perceived as priority problem number one,” Palouš said.
He clarified by saying that not many people on an international realm find the island’s politics very interesting, as the situation within the island is not as dangerous as one found in the Middle East or Ukraine at the moment.
Palouš said that, at present, what can be done with Cuba’s political situation is to make it more visible for the community to understand the issues. As he put it, the case of democratization is very interesting and what’s happening now is an opportunity for people to think about the island’s issues more seriously and to see its relevance in the realm of international relations.
While the event is open to the public, it will be good for students who are interested in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, according to Palouš.
Students shared their thoughts.
“I don’t think much will come of the new diplomatic ties,” said Hanser Cruz, a junior biology major. “Only the governments, as I see it, will see the benefits.”
Others expressed different sentiments.
“The whole issue with these ties between Cuba and the United States needs to be discussed, and this panel will give the community that opportunity,” said Yeneliz Hernandez, a sophomore psychology major.
As Palouš considers it, while the Castro brothers want to achieve normalization of diplomatic ties on their own terms, it’s important to come up with alternative and realistic ideas.
He believes that Cubans want a peaceful transition and to be able to participate in economic changes in a fair and reasonable way.
For Palouš, the event will allow those in attendance to reflect and pose questions on the topic of Cuba in the world.
The event will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. in the MARC Pavilion in the Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
“I think Cuban people want democracy,” Palouš said.
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