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CUBA
NEWS
The
Miami Herald
Aznar, exiles to meet
By Nancy San Martin, nsanmartin@herald.com.
Potesd on Wed, Sep. 24, 2003.
Spanish Prime Minister José María
Aznar will meet privately with a group of Miami
Cuban exiles today as part of a two-day visit
to Miami, Orlando and Tallahassee.
Aznar, who has become the target of President
Fidel Castro's recent angry outbursts toward the
European Union, is highly regarded by Castro opponents
for his tough stance on human rights abuses in
Cuba.
Aznar was among the first European leaders to
condemn the March arrests of 75 dissidents in
Cuba. Castro retaliated with a massive march past
the Spanish Embassy in Havana and compared Aznar
to Adolf Hitler. Cuba also closed a Spanish cultural
center in Havana.
At a meeting at the Biltmore Hotel with 18 Cuban
Americans tonight, Aznar is expected to repeat
his oft-expressed opinion that Castro's days are
numbered and that Cuba will need the support of
everyone on and off the island for a peaceful
transition.
Among the invited guests are representatives
of the Cuban American National Foundation, academics,
economists, human rights activists and religious
leaders. The gathering will follow a swing through
Orlando where Aznar will sign a contract on behalf
of a Spanish firm.
On Thursday, Aznar will participate in a business
seminar and will be the honorary guest at a luncheon
with Miami Mayor Manny Díaz. He will also
travel to Tallahassee to meet with Gov. Jeb Bush
before returning to Madrid.
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