Chileans Extol Silvio Rodriguez Ethics
Leaders of political, social and human rights organizations welcomed Cuban singer songwriter Silvio Rodriguez´s decision to cancel a concert in Chile due to the high prices of tickets.

"Silvio set an example of ethics and humility to Chileans when he decided not to perform," Manuel Jacques, president of Chile´s Christian Left Party, told Prensa Latina.

Jacques also backed Rodriguez´s proposal that foreign artists performing in Chile should give one free concert at least.

Communist Party leader Juan Andres Lagos said Silvio has taught us that "man doesn´t live on money alone, but also on dignity and decency."

He added that when Silvio told President Michelle Bachelet that he was willing to give a free concert, she should have arranged for the Cuban musician to perform at the National Stadium.

For her part, Patricia Silva, president of the Group of Relatives of Executed Political Prisoners, accused Chilean authorities of not heeding Silvio´s proposal to give a free concert and said, "The world of human rights is and will always be on the side of Silvio Rodriguez and what he represents."

Cancellation of Silvio s fifth concert in Talca, 158 miles south of Santiago, on Thursday, raised a debate on poor people s access to culture and a lawsuit against producing company Multimusica and the Cuban singer songwriter.