[nickcarraway]

Brian Alexander of the anti-embargo Cuba Policy Foundation said some House members who had entertained dissidents not long ago at a restaurant in Cuba's capital, Havana, were appalled to learn the waiters were state security agents who testified against the activists at their trials.

Idiots

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Opponents of US embargo on Cuba lament new crack-down on dissidents - It's Bush's Fault*** The measures by Castro's regime have raised international concerns. And those who advocate an end to the 40-year US embargo on Cuba say their job has been made more difficult. Brian Alexander, director of the Cuban Policy Foundation, said the arrests and moves to secure jail terms for the dissidents will have a negative effect "on the ability to move forward in the bilateral relationship by easing the embargo" -- at least "from short to mid-term."

While, according to Alexander, "lawmakers aren't clear about what's going on" the question also on people's lips is, "Is the charm offensive over? Is Castro now looking to provide some sort of crisis with the US? "And if Castro is, it'll be very hard to put priorities on rights to trade and rights to travel," added Alexander, whose organization wants an end to the embargo. "The worst time imaginable for (Castro) to undertake these actions is probably right now," said Alexander. "The momentum in the US for a change in Cuba policy is stronger than it's ever been ... and Castro's signal or message to all those who are working to ease relations with Cuba is to smack them in the face."***