The World - News from Dec. 27, 1988
More than 100 writers, artists and scientists have sent an open letter to Cuban President Fidel Castro urging him to hold a referendum on whether he should stay in power. The group, including Italian film director Federico Fellini, American writer Saul Bellow, French entertainer Yves Montand and American actor Jack Nicholson, also asked that political prisoners be freed and exiles be allowed to return home. The signatories point to an October plebiscite in Chile “where the people, after 15 years of dictatorship, have been able to freely express their country’s political future.” The letter notes that Jan. 1 will mark the 30th anniversary of Castro’s takeover and that he has never asked Cubans for a mandate.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
