LETTER FROM PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM WINNER

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 001068 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2017 TAGS: PINR PHUM CU SUBJECT: LETTER FROM PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM WINNER DR. OSCAR ELIAS BISCET Classified By: COM: Michael E. Parmly: For reasons 1.4 d ¶1. (C) BELOW IS AN INFORMAL TRANSLATION OF A HANDWRITTEN NOTE FROM DR. OSCAR ELIAS BISCET, THANKING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR AWARDING HIM THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM. THE NOTE, ROLLED UP LIKE A SMALL STRAW AND TUCKED INSIDE A SANITARY NAPKIN, WAS SNEAKED OUT OF THE COMBINADO DEL ESTE PRISON FACILITY BY HIS WIFE ELSA MOREJON HERNANDEZ DURING A VISIT ON NOVEMBER 12. (TRANSLATION) NOVEMBER 10, 2007. 5:05 PM, SATURDAY. COMBIo)x THE DECISIVE SUPPORT YOU GIVE THE CUBAN PEOPLE TO OBTAIN THEIR FREEDOM. AMERICA IS A LOYAL BASTION OF DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM AND IT BRIGHTENS THE WORLD THROUGH THESE JUST PATHS. THE WONDERFUL GLEAM OF THIS LIGHT OPPORTUNELY REACHES MY COUNTRY, AND THE DAY IN WHICH WE WILL FULLY ENJOY THIS GRACE OF GOD IS APPROACHING. I AM GRATEFUL TO YOU, YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR GOVERNMENT FOR THE MEDAL AWARDED TO ME BY THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY OF YOUR NATION. I WILL ALWAYS CARRY THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM WITH PRIDE, AS DO THE MOST LOYAL OF YOUR COMPATRIOTS AND I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FORGET ALL THE LOVE AND KINDNESS OF YOUR PEOPLE TOWARDS MINE. I WILL ALSO ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR ALTRUISTIC SUPPORT TO MY FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND AMERICA. MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! AFFECTIONATELY, DR. OSCAR ELIAS BISCET PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE PRESIDENT OF THE LAWTON FOUNDATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS PARMLY