CUBA
NEWS
Yahoo!
Cuban Dissidents' Wives Call for Release
By Anita Snow, Associated
Press Writer. Thu Mar 18, 2004.
HAVANA - The wives of imprisoned activists
called for their husbands' release Thursday,
one year after communist Cuba rounded them
up in a group of 75 people during a crushing
crackdown on dissent.
"We make another call for the release
of the 75 innocent prisoners, just as we
have made various calls in the past,"
said Gisela Delgado, wife of jailed opposition
party leader Hector Palacios.
"I'm not optimistic that they will
be released because the government has been
increasingly intransigent," said Delgado,
who wore a white T-shirt printed with a
color photograph of her husband. "But
we will keep on fighting."
Palacios, who recently underwent a gall
bladder operation, is one of more than a
dozen prisoners among the 75 who are currently
hospitalized in custody for serious ailments.
Sitting under a red, white and blue Cuban
flag tacked to the wall of her small living
room, Delgado and several other prisoners'
wives were spending the day in a protest
fast.
It was among at least three such gatherings
around Havana Thursday as inmates' families
and supporters marked the anniversary of
the roundup of independent reporters, opposition
party members and democracy activists launched
March 18, 2003.
Human rights groups around the world also
weighed in this week, calling for the immediate
release of the 74 men and one woman accused
by Fidel Castro (news - web sites)'s government
of working with U.S. officials to undermine
the socialist system.
Cuba has defended the crackdown as necessary
to protect the island from attempts by foreign
powers to topple its communist leadership.
It also justified as necessary the unrelated
firing-squad executions during that same
period of three men who tried to hijack
a passenger ferry to the United States.
The unsuccessful hijack attempt came amid
a wave of attempted hijackings of boats
and planes that raised fears of a migration
crisis.
Amnesty International was among the international
rights groups that remembered the 75 crackdown
prisoners this week, and called for their
immediate release.
"After a detailed review of the legal
cases against them, it is clear that they
are prisoners of conscience - detained for
the peaceful expression of their beliefs,"
said a statement from the London-based group.
The dissidents deny Cuba's charges they
were mercenaries for the American government,
and say their only crime was speaking their
mind. The 75 were sentenced last April to
prison terms of six to 28 years.
Palacios, president of Cuba's outlawed
Democratic Solidarity Party, was sentenced
to 25 years in what some dissidents here
call the "Cuban Spring" - a reference
to the short-lived "Prague Spring"
reform effort crushed by former Czechoslovakia's
communist government in 1968.
As many others picked up in Cuba's roundup,
Palacios was an organizer for the Varela
Project, a signature-gathering effort that
seeks a voter's referendum on laws guaranteeing
civil rights such as freedom of speech,
assembly and private business ownership.
The initiative, later shelved by Cuba's
National Assembly as unconstitutional, also
sought electoral reforms and an amnesty
for political prisoners.
The anniversary of the Cuban crackdown
was remembered Thursday in Prague, Czech
Republic, where about 200 protesters marched
outside the Cuban Embassy chanting: "Cuba
si! Castro no!"
In Washington this week, four Cuban-American
members of the U.S. Congress introduced
a resolution calling for the condemnation
of the Castro government.
U.S. Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart and
Bob Menendez also expressed support for
jailed dissidents.
"The Cuban people should know that
we stand shoulder to shoulder with them
during these dark days and we will not falter
till the oppressive Castro regime is gone
for ever," Ros-Lehtinen said in a statement.
Early Release Unlikely for Cuba Dissidents
By Anita Snow, Associated
Press Writer
HAVANA, 16 - Blanca Reyes waits by the
phone every Thursday afternoon for a call
from her jailed husband, Raul Rivero. A
year ago Saturday, she watched from her
tiny balcony as the poet and journalist
was hustled away by President Fidel Castro
(news - web sites)'s agents in front of
cheering pro-government neighbors. Crying
tears of rage, she shouted: "Alli va
UN HOMBRE!" - "There goes A MAN!"
Rivero was among 75 dissidents arrested
in a broad and crushing crackdown that provoked
worldwide condemnation and showed a communist
regime determined at any cost to prevent
what 77-year-old Castro sees as Washington's
growing effort to topple him, especially
since the Iraq (news - web sites) invasion.
Rivero, 58 and serving 20 years in prison,
gets to make one weekly call home. Every
month or so Reyes hires someone to drive
her to Ciego de Avila, a central city 265
miles east of Havana, to visit her husband
in prison.
The phone rings in the modest fourth-story
walk-up in a central Havana neighborhood
of dilapidated apartment buildings, and
for 25 precious minutes, husband and wife
exchange news and affections.
Referring to notes scribbled on a pad,
Reyes, 56, gives Rivero the latest on the
daughter pregnant with his first grandchild,
and tells him UNESCO is awarding him its
World Press Freedom Prize.
Rivero reads his wife the love poems written
for her and updates her on his weight loss
- down 75 pounds to 192 pounds since he
was arrested.
Three weeks after the arrests, Castro defended
them by saying: "We are now immersed
in a battle against provocations that are
trying to move us toward conflict and military
aggression by the United States.
"We have been defending ourselves
for 44 years and have always been willing
to fight until the end."
Reyes, a woman with a soft, round face
framed by shortish blonde hair, says she
cares about her family, not politics, and
hopes Rivero will be freed if the couple
agrees to leave Cuba. "The only thing
important for me now is that Raul gets out,"
she says.
Rivero is among a few professionally trained
Cuban journalists who call themselves independent
reporters. He worked many years for state
media, and was trusted enough to serve a
stint in Moscow, Cuba's former backer, before
breaking with Castro's regime in 1989. He
has published many volumes of reportage
and poetry.
He had been detained in the past, each
time for several days, but this was the
first time he was tried and sentenced.
Rivero's wife says neighbors testified
to the closed tribunal that he had distributed
"enemy propaganda" - articles
from foreign newspapers - in the neighborhood
and that foreigners frequently visited the
apartment.
Rivero wrote articles for foreign publications
that sometimes criticized his country, but
denied being on a U.S. payroll.
The weeklong crackdown that began last
March 18 swept up independent reporters,
rights advocates and members of outlawed
opposition parties. They were accused of
working with American officials to bring
down the government. They all denied it.
So did Washington.
All were convicted in one-day trials in
April and sentenced to prison terms of six
to 28 years.
Cuba's highest court rejected their appeals.
Human rights activist Elizardo Sanchez hopes
at least the old and infirm will be amnestied,
but expects it to take years. Meanwhile,
he says, "If anything, they are tightening
the screws on the inmates."
Amnesty International has adopted all 75
as prisoners of conscience. The nongovernment
Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National
Reconciliation headed by Sanchez says more
than 300 political prisoners are now held
on the island of 11 million people.
The crackdown came amid a rash of hijackings
of planes and boats to the United States,
which Cuba blamed on U.S. policies that
it says encourage illegal emigration.
Separately from the March arrests, the
regime executed by firing squad three men
arrested in the unsuccessful armed hijacking
of a passenger ferry, and jailed four others
for life.
Amid worldwide condemnation of Castro,
the United States tightened Cuba trade and
travel restrictions.
Until the crackdown, Cuba's relatively
small opposition had been gaining in strength
and numbers, and increasing ties with U.S.
diplomats in Havana.
U.S. officials were meeting more frequently
with activists, and speaking out more pointedly
- and publicly - against Castro on his home
turf.
In May 2002, former President Carter had
made a historic visit to Cuba during which
he openly endorsed the reform movement and
was allowed to deliver an uncensored talk
about democracy on Cuban television.
The few vocal dissidents who escaped arrest
a year ago still issue communiques and hold
occasional news conferences, but they say
the movement is crippled.
The government "has triumphed in its
attempt to weaken (the opposition) but has
lost in its legitimacy," said Manuel
Cuesta Morua of Cuba's Moderate Opposition
Reflection Group.
Sanchez, the human rights campaigner, says
the Cuban nation both at home and in exile
"is suffering from a type of political
Alzheimer's."
Leadership throughout the Cuban community,
both on the island and in Miami's exile
stronghold, both official and opposition,
is "marked by decrepitude, irrational
decisions ... and it could continue for
years," he said.
Sanchez has been the target of a government
effort to discredit him, including release
of a book and videotape revealing meetings
he had with state security agents.
He says he never provided information to
harm other activists and remains a primary
source of information for international
groups such as Human Rights Watch.
Sanchez noted that many of those arrested
a year ago are 60 or older and at least
a dozen are hospitalized for serious ailments.
Independent economist Oscar Espinosa Chepe,
63, is being treated for cirrhosis at
a military hospital outside Havana.
"He's doing really poorly," Espinosa's
wife, Miriam Leiva. "They just don't
give me any medical information."
Cuba slams criticism, defies UN rights
forum
GENEVA (AFP) - Cuba defied the United Nations'
top human rights body by rejecting a UN
expert's criticism of abuse in the country
and barring her from the country.
"She has ended up acting as an instrument
at the service of the US government,"
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque
told the annual meeting of the United Nations
Human Rights Commission.
The expert, Catherine Chanet -- who is
French -- released a report last month calling
for the release of 75 opponents of Fidel
Castro's regime who were arrested about
one year ago.
Perez del Roque said Cuba "does not
accept" a request that Chanet visit
the country, even though the demand is regarded
by human rights groups as a soft option.
It was made in a resolution presented to
the Commission last year by three Latin
American countries -- Uruguay, Peru and
Nicaragua -- which was approved by the 53-member
UN body.
EU countries and the US had wanted a tougher
resolution.
In her report, Chanet said she had "particularly
alarming" information about the "very
trying conditions from the physical and
psychological point of view" in which
the detainees were being held.
Their arrest of the group, including poet
and author Raul Rivero, in March and April
2003 and their sentencing to between six
and 25 years in jail caused an international
outcry.
The report by the personal representative
of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
also called for a review of laws restricting
freedom of expression and association and
the right to demonstrate.
But Perez del Roque slammed the report
as "politicized and partial" during
the meeting.
"Cuba does not accept being accused
at this Commission in a high-handed politicized
and discriminatory manner," the foreign
minister said in a speech that was largely
devoted to virulent criticism of the United
States.
The report also highlighted "positive
aspects" in Cuba's efforts for health
and education, and moves to improve the
status of women, allow freedom of religion
and foster some dialogue with the UN on
human rights.
Chanet criticized tensions between the
United States and Cuba, warning that US
laws and funding aimed against the regime
provided Cuban authorities with an opportunity
to "tighten repression" against
political opposition.
US Treasury hits at Canadian agency
promoting travel to Cuba
WASHINGTON, 17 (AFP) - US Treasury officials
banned a Canadian travel agency from doing
business in the United States because it
encourages US citizens to illegally travel
to Cuba.
Treasury officials blocked all property
of Hola Sun Holidays Limited, "held
by persons subject to US jurisdiction,"
which they said in a statement "is
controlled by Fidel Castro and his regime."
Hola Sun is based in Richmond Hill, Ontario,
north of Toronto.
The action also "prohibits persons
subject to US jurisdiction from engaging
in any transactions with this entity unless
authorized" by US officials.
According to the statement, US law enforcement
officials "have intercepted unauthorized
travelers whose tour package were purchased
through this travel agency, which uses the
Internet to advertise and sell Cuban tourism
to the US public."
Cuba slams criticism, defies UN rights
forum
GENEVA. 17 (AFP) - Cuba defied the United
Nations' top human rights body by rejecting
a UN expert's criticism of abuse in the
country and barring her from the country.
"She has ended up acting as an instrument
at the service of the US government,"
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque
told the annual meeting of the United Nations
Human Rights Commission.
The expert, Catherine Chanet -- who is
French -- released a report last month calling
for the release of 75 opponents of Fidel
Castro's regime who were arrested about
one year ago.
Perez del Roque said Cuba "does not
accept" a request that Chanet visit
the country, even though the demand is regarded
by human rights groups as a soft option.
It was made in a resolution presented to
the Commission last year by three Latin
American countries -- Uruguay, Peru and
Nicaragua -- which was approved by the 53-member
UN body.
EU countries and the US had wanted a tougher
resolution.
In her report, Chanet said she had "particularly
alarming" information about the "very
trying conditions from the physical and
psychological point of view" in which
the detainees were being held.
Their arrest of the group, including poet
and author Raul Rivero, in March and April
2003 and their sentencing to between six
and 25 years in jail caused an international
outcry.
The report by the personal representative
of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
also called for a review of laws restricting
freedom of expression and association and
the right to demonstrate.
But Perez del Roque slammed the report
as "politicized and partial" during
the meeting.
"Cuba does not accept being accused
at this Commission in a high-handed politicized
and discriminatory manner," the foreign
minister said in a speech that was largely
devoted to virulent criticism of the United
States.
The report also highlighted "positive
aspects" in Cuba's efforts for health
and education, and moves to improve the
status of women, allow freedom of religion
and foster some dialogue with the UN on
human rights.
Chanet criticized tensions between the
United States and Cuba, warning that US
laws and funding aimed against the regime
provided Cuban authorities with an opportunity
to "tighten repression" against
political opposition.
U.S. Links Travel Company to Cuba
WASHINGTON, 17 A(P) - The Bush administration
on Wednesday identified a foreign travel
company that it says is linked to Cuba and
thus is forbidden from doing business in
the United States.
The Treasury Department's action against
Hola Sun Holidays Limited of Ontario, Canada,
marks the latest development from President
Bush's call for more aggressive enforcement
of provisions that prohibit most travel
to Cuba.
The travel agency "provides easy access
to U.S. individuals traveling to Cuba,"
the department said. "U.S. law enforcement
officials have intercepted unauthorized
travelers whose tour packages were purchased
through this travel agency, which uses the
Internet to advertise and sell Cuban tourism
to the U.S. public."
The department alleged that the travel
agency is "controlled by Fidel Castro
and his regime."
US Treasury hits at Canadian agency
promoting travel to Cuba
WASHINGTON, 17 (AFP) - US Treasury officials
banned a Canadian travel agency from doing
business in the United States because it
encourages US citizens to illegally travel
to Cuba.
Treasury officials blocked all property
of Hola Sun Holidays Limited, "held
by persons subject to US jurisdiction,"
which they said in a statement "is
controlled by Fidel Castro and his regime."
Hola Sun is based in Richmond Hill, Ontario,
north of Toronto.
The action also "prohibits persons
subject to US jurisdiction from engaging
in any transactions with this entity unless
authorized" by US officials.
According to the statement, US law enforcement
officials "have intercepted unauthorized
travelers whose tour package were purchased
through this travel agency, which uses the
Internet to advertise and sell Cuban tourism
to the US public."
|