I do not know if it makes much sense to try to legalize the Hispano-Cuban Foundation on the Island

"I do not know if it makes much sense to try to legalize the
Hispano-Cuban Foundation on the Island" / 14ymedio, Marta Beatriz Roque
Posted on July 19, 2014

14YMEDIO, Havana, 18 July 2013 — The Cuban economist Martha Beatriz
Roque has just been named president of the Hispano-Cuban Foundation
(FHC). The institution has tried to "promote the presence and relevance
of the FHC in the island." 14ymedio was able to speak with the prominent
dissident to get her impressions about the new appointment and her
immediate plans.

QUESTION: How do you feel to have been chosen for this position?

ANSWER: It is a tremendous responsibility, because when the board
members of the FHC decided to choose me for this position they based it
on some expectations that I must now meet. A challenge of this nature,
one always takes it as a challenge, with a bit of fear too, because I
know it will not be easy.

Q. What are the first steps that you will take starting now?

A. First I must organize the Cuban side. The patronage in Madrid is very
well defined, but here there are some steps that need to be taken in
that regard. The first is to legalize the situation at the Embassy of
Spain in Cuba and then there will be many other steps and concrete
actions. But contrary to how Raul Castro thinks things must be done in
Cuba, when he advised doing everything slowly and gradually, we will try
to make our plans a reality as quickly and swiftly as possible.

Q. Do you intend to try to legally register this entity in the Register
of Associations of Cuba?

A. In Spain this foundation is legalized, it is based in Madrid and is
well known in the European Union. Legalize it in Cuba? …? I don't know
if it makes much sense even to try.

Q. Will you continue as usual with his work as head of the Community
Communicators Network and the Institute of Independent Economists?

A. Yes, of course, one has nothing to do with the others. All tasks that
come starting now with this new responsibility will be in addition to
what we do every day. I hope I have the time and energy.

Source: "I do not know if it makes much sense to try to legalize the
Hispano-Cuban Foundation on the Island" / 14ymedio, Marta Beatriz Roque
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