Guantanamo Initiative
dal 10/9/2004 al 31/10/2004
Segnalato da
10/9/2004
Guantanamo Initiative
CCS Centre Culturel Suisse, Paris
Christoph Buchel and Gianni Motti. "The point of departure of Guantanamo Initiative is a geopolitical and juridical problem concerning Guantanamo Bay, located on south-eastern coast of Cuba. In contrast with its current function, we propose to transform Guantanamo into a site dedicated to the promotion of culture. We envisage the creation of a laboratory in which would situate culture at the heart of contemporary debates, a space for culture, based on exchange and dialogue. This project would enable a transition towards the political and cultural integration of Guantanamo Bay into the Republic of Cuba".
Guantanamo Initiative consists in immersing oneself in a geopolitical
problem which, in principle, falls into a domain normally reserved for the
State.
Christoph Buchel's and Gianni Motti's project consists in modifying the
practices that regulate this kind of disagreement. [...] In order to arrive at a global solution that would be applicable to other
specific cases, strategies founded on a traditional mode of thinking must
be redefined or approached from a different angle, one that inscribes
itself in a field of permanent experimentation with perception. This
necessitates a radical modification of our intellectual models.
Michel Ritter, Director of the Centre culturel suisse de Paris
CHRISTOPH BUCHEL & GIANNI MOTTI
GUANTANAMO INITIATIVE
The point of departure of Guantanamo Initiative is a geopolitical and
juridical problem concerning Guantanamo Bay, located on south-eastern
coast of Cuba.
In 1898, the end of the Spanish-American War and the Treaty of Paris left
Cuba in a state of quasi-colonial dependence vis-a-vis the United States.
In 1903, the American government forceably obtained the ratification of
the Platt amendment (1901), which granted the United States absolute right
to interfere in Cuban affairs.
With this accord, and then with the Treaty of 1934 (signalling the end of
the protectorate), the United States obtained a perpetual lease on the
117.6 square kilometres area of Guantanamo Bay for 2000 US dollars
annually (4, 085 dollars today).
The Vienna Convention on the Laws of Treaties specifies that a treaty
obtained through threat or use of force is null and void. The
international legal community also stipulates that perpetual contracts are
invalid and that one cannot require a party to assent to perpetual
engagements.
In 1959, the new Cuban government requested that the lease be cancelled
and the United States refused.
As a means of protest, the Republic of Cuba has ceased cashing the annual
checks sent for payment of the lease and has continued to demand the
restitution of Guantanamo Bay.
This zone enables the United States to avoid applying American law.
According to their argument, this territory is subject to Cuban rule.
While Cuba does effectively govern the territory of Guantanamo Bay, the
United States has jurisdiction and total control there, thus creating an
unregulated extra-territorial zone that flouts the fundamental principles
of international law.
The United States is currently using Guantanamo Bay as an internment and
detention center for "illegal combatants". This is in total contradiction
with the original lease, which provided for the establishment of "coal
trade or naval stations exclusively, to the exclusion of any other
object".
The original function assigned to this territory no longer exists and has
been replaced by another: the creation of an unregulated extra-territorial
base, a new order in which the US does not have to answer to anyone.
This politico-juridical situation has attracted our attention and, given
that the current lease between the two countries in null and void, we have
undertaken negotiations with the Cuban government to rent Guantanamo Bay.
A pragmatic and peaceful solution to the problem of this lease would be to
allow a third party to enter into a new contract with the government.
As new tenants, we would have to take necessary action against this
illegal occupation.
In contrast with its current function, we propose to transform Guantanamo
into a site dedicated to the promotion of culture. We envisage the
creation of a laboratory in which would situate culture at the heart of
contemporary debates, a space for culture, based on exchange and dialogue.
This project would enable a transition towards the political and cultural
integration of Guantanamo Bay into the Republic of Cuba.
In parallel to the exhibition, from 9/11 to 10/31, an office will be open
for the rental of the Bay and the future creation of the cultural base.
All ideas and proposals are welcome: contact@guantanamo-initiative.com
Image: Annual U.S. check for the rental of the naval base of
Guantanamo(117,6 km2) un-cashed by the Republic of Cuba
Opening September 11 at 6:00 pm
The Centre culturel suisse de Paris is the representation of Pro Helvetia,
Arts Council of Switzerland
Centre culturel suisse de Paris
38, rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris
Press officer: Elsa Guigo