Cuba Renews Contact With European Nations

[Rose Siding]

HAVANA -- The Cuban government has resumed formal diplomatic contacts with eight European nations, including France, Germany and Britain, Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said Monday.

Cuba's relations with Europe chilled after Castro cracked down on the island's dissidents in March 2003, rounding up and sentencing 75 of them to long prison terms. European nations were also troubled by the firing-squad executions of three men who tried to hijack a ferry to the United States around the same time.

European Union nations responded by reducing high-level government visits, canceling participation in cultural events and by inviting dissidents to embassy gatherings.

But some countries, led by Spain's new Socialist government, argued these diplomatic maneuvers were having little effect. In mid-December, an EU commission recommended member states work out a new policy to encourage the Caribbean island to open up.

Roque said part of the effort to improve relations with Cuba included the EU nations ending the practice of inviting dissidents to national holiday celebrations at their embassies in Havana.
...
Monday's announcement came about a month after Cuba re-established formal contact with Spain, Belgium and Hungary.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-cuba-european-union,0,3967178.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[Gloria]

1. Good for them!! I'll listen to my friends at Radio Havana tonight

for the latest....

BTW, I got a QSL from them after I wrote about 6 months ago. Out of the blue, in November, I received a "Happy New Year" card from them.
Love the folks at Radio Havana!

PS..Cuba did release a number of dissidents, including a famous author, several months ago....

[Minstrel Boy]

3. Radio Havana is great!

I had a letter read on-air in the mid-70s, when I was a precocious 14-year old Marxist. I didn't hear it, but they mailed me the transcript. They sent me great wallet-sized calendars for years, too, with pics of Che and other heroes.

[guajira]

2. I question whether these dissidents are dissidents of conscience

or just paid "employees" of Miami exiles?

Over the years, some have admitted they were paid to contribute to Radio Marti, El Nuevo, etc.

I wonder why Castro stood up to European countries, but won't stand up to James Cason, head of US Interests Section in Havana?

[Mika]

4. guajira, please explain your question about Castro

"I wonder why Castro stood up to European countries, but won't stand up to James Cason, head of US Interests Section in Havana?"


Not sure what you mean. Could you expand on your thought a litte? Thanks.

:hi: