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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HAVANA 015674 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE DEPT FOR WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016 
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PREL SOCI CU
SUBJECT: ROQUE UNVEILS PLAN FOR TRANSITION GOVERNMENT 
 
 
HAVANA 00015674  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Chief of Mission Michael Parmly for Reason 1.4(d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary: Leading Cuban pro-democracy activist Martha 
Beatriz Roque has released a 27-page transition plan for Cuba 
produced by her Assembly to Promote Civil Society.  Titled 
"Anticipating the Day After," the 15-section document is a 
self-described "compendium of ideas" that focuses on issues a 
transitional government might address in advance of free 
elections.  The document envisions dismantling Cuba's 
repressive structures, instituting a free-market system and 
prosecuting human rights violators, all while continuing key 
government services.  The Assembly views constitutional 
change as crucial, and suggests that a constituent assembly 
should update the 1940 Constitution.  Roque's plan also calls 
for "separating" the nomenklatura; reinventing the 
health-care system; and ousting from Cuba all foreign 
terrorists harbored by the current regime.  "Day After" 
provides a snapshot of a possible future, but doesn't explain 
how to get there.  It lacks the depth and breadth of Oswaldo 
Paya's "All Cubans" blueprint, but, like Roque herself, does 
not shy away from addressing controversial matters.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) Veteran activist Martha Beatriz Roque on August 1 
unveiled a 27-page plan for a transitional Cuban government 
that would be in effect "from the day after (the end of the 
current regime) until we can hold free elections."  Roque, 
who told us August 7 she is convinced that "Fidel is never 
coming back to power," envisions the transitional government 
being formed by current members of the on-island opposition. 
The transitional government (TG) could consist of 20 to 25 
people, she said, among them possibly four coordinators. 
(Pressed on this point, Roque named herself, Paya, Oscar 
Biscet and Vladimiro Roca, but cautioned that this was mere 
speculation.)  The document says the TG, which should be in 
power no more than two years, would need to work on a program 
of social, political and economic restoration, guaranteeing 
key liberties, fostering a multi-party system and leading to 
free elections in the shortest possible time.  The program 
would have to balance the interests of Cubans on and off the 
island, adding that a key priority would be freeing the 
political prisoners. 
 
FREEING POLITICAL PRISONERS 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) Without liberating the political prisoners, there 
would be no true transition, the document says.  "Day After" 
also envisions reviewing the cases of Cubans convicted of 
"common crimes," such as trading in agricultural produce. 
The document says the TG should provide resources to 
political prisoners who have been freed, "with the goal of 
helping them be reintegrated into society."  It adds that any 
members of the armed forces or interior ministry who 
mistreated political prisoners (or dissidents) should be 
removed from their positions and prosecuted.  Roque also 
favors "separating" the nomenklatura and preventing its 
members' participation in a new Cuban government.  However, 
the plan makes clear that some members of the GOC should be 
allowed to remain in government at the municipal and 
provincial levels, provided there is no blood on their hands. 
 
DISSOLVING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) "Day After" calls for deep-sixing all of the key 
levers of GOC control: dissolving the National Assembly, 
Council of State, Council of Ministers and, because it is a 
mechanism of government control, the Central Committee of the 
Communist Party (CP).  It says the TG should draft a new 
election law and seek international election organizing and 
monitoring assistance.  It adds that a transformation of the 
Cuban system cannot occur without Constitutional change; to 
this end, the document urges consideration of a constituent 
assembly to essentially update Cuba's Constitution. 
 
SWEEPING ECONOMIC REFORMS 
------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Roque's Assembly says macroeconomic reforms would have 
to be adopted immediately to boost food production, create 
jobs and reduce poverty.  "Day After" says some state 
enterprises would have to be privatized, while others would 
have to be shuttered (particularly those whose workers are 
primarily engaged in political activities).  The TG would 
encourage profit-sharing at state firms.  The document says 
monetary and banking reforms are needed, as is a private 
banking system, but offers no details on how to achieve these 
goals.  "Day After" targets ending the current pension 
 
HAVANA 00015674  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
system, but says those already receiving assistance would not 
be cut off.  The text also calls for reaching out to the IMF, 
Paris Club, IDB and others for assistance. 
 
PAYBACK 
------- 
 
¶6. (C) "Day After" says that when it comes to foreign trade, 
the TG should keep in mind which countries sustained the 
dictatorship through commerce and investments.  It says the 
TG should expel all ETA members, as well as all other foreign 
terrorists harbored by the current regime.  It says the TG 
should seek international forgiveness for Cuba's worldwide 
exportation of subversion.  It says the transitional 
government should present a public apology to the relatives 
of those killed in the "13 de Marzo" tugboat sinking, in the 
1996 plane shootdowns, and in firing squads that followed 
summary trials.  It says Cubans have a right to see the lists 
of those who cooperated with the GOC against the dissidents. 
It calls for tearing down certain monuments, including those 
erected in honor of people who detonated bombs at hotels and 
cinemas in action ostensibly aimed at the Batista regime. 
 
¶7. (C) The document also says exiled Cubans have proven that 
they have the capacity to offer resources for new businesses, 
and says it is important for them to take part in Cuba's 
reconstruction. 
PARMLY