World Celebs: Respect Cuban Sovereignty
Over 400 world notables, including eight Nobel prizewinners, urged the US Monday to respect Cuba"s sovereignty, and condemned the threats against its territorial integrity.

The document, "The Sovereignty of Cuba Must be Respected" conveys support to President Fidel Castro, who on July 31 provisionally delegated responsibilities due to his health condition.

Since the announcement, US government officials “have been increasingly explicit about Cuba"s immediate future," the foreign signatories declared.

The signatories rejected Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez´ pronouncement that this is the moment for a true transition toward democracy, as well as White House spokesman Tony Snow´s offer of humanitarian, economic and other aid to the people of Cuba.

Film directors, writers, social leaders and activists said it is not difficult to imagine the nature of the "assistance" considering the US administration´s current aggressive foreign policy.

Due to increasing threats against the integrity of a nation, and the peace and security of Latin America and the world, we call on the government of the United States to respect Cuba"s sovereignty and prevent an aggression at all costs.

Among the over 400 signatories were Nobel prizewinners Jose Saramago, Wole Soyinka, Rigoberta Menchu, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Dario Fo, Desmond Tutu, Nadine Gordimer and Zhores Alfiorov.

Also signing were Juan Gelman, Mario Benedetti, Pablo Guayasamin, Maria Rojo and Noam Chomsky, Frei Betto, Ignacio Ramonet, Bernard Cassen, Miguel Bonasso and Manu Chao.

Among others the list includes Ramsey Clark, Tomas Borge, James Petras, Piero Gleijeses, Belen Gopequi, Miguel D"Escoto, Francois Houtart, Eduardo Galeano, Danny Glover, Chico Buarque and Oscar Miemeyer.