The Day Diplomacy Died, A Documentary by Bernie Dwyer & Roberto Ruiz Rebo

Wednesday, April 6, 7pm – Film & Discussion
The Day Diplomacy Died, A Documentary by Bernie Dwyer & Roberto Ruiz Rebo (DVD, subtitles, Spanish & English, $15)

In Spring of 2003 the U.S. media made hay over the jailing of 75 so-called independent journalists in Cuba. Here is the real story behind the headlines. The Day Diplomacy Died tells the story of four ex-Cuban state agents who sacrificed years of their lives working undercover to expose the real truth. Here they speak out for the first time on film about why the Cuban government locked up these 75 “independent” journalists, trade unionists and librarians. They tell of the inner workings of the dissident groups they had infiltrated and of the various, and often frightening, plans hatched to destabilize Cuba. The mainstream pressnever fully investigated the role played by the U.S. and their diplomats in Havana, although Cuba produced abundant evidence demonstrating that the imprisoned 75 were actually on the payroll of the U.S. tax payer for the purpose of disrupting Cuban society. The Day Diplomacy Died features interviews with two former Heads of the U.S. Diplomatic Staff in Havana, and Ricardo Alarcon, president of the Cuban Parliament (and former Ambassador to the United Nations), who briefly outlines the history of failed diplomacy between the U.S. and Cuba. We also hear from Washington-based human rights lawyer, Jose Pertierra, who explains how Cuba, under international and Cuban law, has the right to protect its country’s sovereignty from interference by its biggest and most powerful enemy. Ms. Dwyer will be present and answer questions, not only about the film, but also on the present developments in Cuba. Bernie Dwyer is an Irish woman who lives and works in Havana as a journalist with Radio Havana. She has worked there for the past 10 years. Dwyer was previously a lecturer in Women’s Studies at University Colege in Dublin. She is a membe of the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five.