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CzechRep to propose steps
towards Cuba in EU - Svoboda
Czech
Happenings, Czech
Republic, April 16, 2006.
Prague- The Czech Republic is preparing
steps and proposals for the EU talks on
the relations to Cuba, Foreign Minister
Cyril Svoboda told reporters at an extraordinary
press conference after the return of expelled
Czech diplomat Stanislav Kazecky from Cuba
today.
Svoboda (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL)
did not specify what proposals the Czech
Republic would submit to the EU. He only
said that the Czech Republic wants the EU
to take a joint stance on Cuba.
"This does not mean that we will embrace
[Cuban leader] Fidel Castro," Svoboda
noted.
Kazecky, fist secretary of the Czech diplomatic
mission in Havana, returned to Prague today
as the Cuban authorities refused to extend
his visa and accused him of subversive activities
and work for the USA.
Kazecky and the Czech Foreign Ministry
denied these accusations.
In reaction to the Cuban steps, the Czech
Republic did not extend the visa of a Cuban
diplomat in Prague and thereby practically
expelled him from the country.
Svoboda today said that there was no reason
to expel Kazecky from Cuba as he violated
no rules, not even habitual ones, not to
mention laws and agreements. He added that
the Cuban accusation that Kazecky photographed
military facilities is just a false pretext.
Svoboda said that the Czech Republic is
not provoking the Cuban regime and wants
to have good relations with Cuba. It is
Cuba that is violating the rules of decency,
he noted.
Svoboda claimed that Cuba should observe
the universal character of human rights
and freedoms. He also stressed that the
Czech Republic supports people who are striving
for democracy in Cuba.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry accused Kazecky
of violating the rules of the Vienna convention,
performing intelligence work and subversive
tasks, photographing Cuban military bases
and distributing money and printed material
to "mercenary groups."
Kazecky said in an interview for the Czech
daily Lidove noviny on Saturday that he
supported the Cuban opposition. However,
he denied having consciously approaching
Cuban military facilities with the aim to
map them.
Author: CTK.
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