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Opts for diplomatic sanctions against Cuba
Posted on Wed, Jun. 11, 2003 in
The Miami
Herald.
The European Union handed Cuba a serious diplomatic defeat last week when
its members unanimously approved a set of diplomatic sanctions against Fidel
Castro's government.
We're encouraged by this new display of outrage by Europe. Dissidents have
been pressuring the government for democratic change from the inside; now
renewed pressure will come from the international community as well, leaving
Castro's repressive regime even more isolated. Latin American governments that
refuse to take a stand should learn from Europe's example. Apologists
inappropriately blame U.S. policy rather than the totalitarian dictatorship that
has victimized the Cuban people.
In an important step, the European Union promised to re-evaluate its
so-called common position, which has outlined Europe's policy toward Cuba since
1996. Though member states often have disregarded the position, each dealing
with Cuba in accordance with its own interests, they generally agreed that
engaging Cuba was the best way to bring about change.
Europe favored a carrot-and-stick approach, one that sought to reform the
Cuban regime. Now EU members finally appear persuaded that the regime deserves
more stick and less carrot. That tougher stance is long overdue.
We ask Europe to go one step further: to use its economic clout to improve
human rights in Cuba. As Cuba's No. 1 trading and investment partner, the
European Union holds tremendous leverage. Europe could establish principles for
responsible investment, for example, that would require that EU ventures be
allowed to hire and directly pay Cuban workers and that those workers be free to
organize labor unions independent of the regime.
The importance of Europe to the regime was apparent when it allowed Oswaldo
Payá, leader of the Varela Project, to visit France in December to accept
the Sakharov Prize Castro was forced to let him go in the face of reproach from
the nations that keep the island afloat economically.
Also encouraging: EU members agreed to invite more Cuban dissidents on
diplomatic trips across the Atlantic. That promises to raise the international
legitimacy and recognition of Mr. Payá's contemporaries. Further, the
European Union resolved to curtail high-level EU government visits to Cuba and
participation in cultural events on the island.
Altogether, these sanctions send a tough message to Castro: Abusing human
rights will result in consequences. Pressure from the outside will not go away,
and harsher consequences may be on the way. | 
