Democracy, rights must be embraced, U.S. envoy tells Cubans (speaks of dissidents)

Houston Chronicle ^ | February 8, 2002 | ANITA SNOW, AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

HAVANA -- Characterizing Cuba's current friendliness toward Americans as a "charm offensive" aimed at changing U.S. policy, the top U.S. diplomat in Havana said Thursday that the communist island must also embrace democracy and human rights if it expects restrictions on trade and travel to end.

"What happens if you give a lot of money to the Cuban government and it doesn't change?" asked Vicki Huddleston, chief of the U.S. Interests Section, the American mission here. "Then you find out you are just supporting Fidelismo," said Huddleston, using a term that signifies support for President Fidel Castro.

"Is there a better relationship? No," Huddleston told reporters. "The relationship is not improving because we are still concerned about human rights, democracy, the free flow of information."

A new, less strident tone from Havana toward Washington was evident immediately after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, which Castro condemned that day while offering the United States medical assistance.

The Cuban government did criticize subsequent U.S. military actions in Afghanistan. But even those criticisms faded after Hurricane Michelle struck in early November, causing heavy damage to central Cuba.

Cuba was impressed when the U.S. government offered to provide hurricane relief, a suggestion it politely declined. Instead, it agreed to make the first direct purchases of U.S. food in nearly 40 years to replenish reserves after the storm.

The first direct deliveries of U.S. corn, wheat, soy, rice and chicken coincided with a flood of Americans visiting the island, from congressional delegations to business, educational and cultural groups. Many of the more than 2,000 Americans who visited the island in January with U.S. approval attended friendly meetings with Castro.

Among Havana's most surprising gestures was the announcement it would not oppose the U.S. military's decision to house prisoners from the war on Afghanistan at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo, Cuba.

Huddleston said Washington appreciated Havana's stance on Guantanamo but "the problem for us is that nothing has fundamentally changed in Cuba." Her assertions echoed statements last week by the State Department.

On another issue, Huddleston said members of Cuba's political opposition should not be underestimated.

"The human rights activists represent those people who would like to be part of the world," Huddleston said. "The independent journalists represent all the people who want to speak out."

Seven dissidents met briefly with Mexican President Vicente Fox during his visit to Cuba Monday.

The meeting, Huddleston said, was "very, very important" because it provided the dissidents with recognition.

"Those dissidents represent the Cuban people and their hopes," she said.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"What happens if you give a lot of money to the Cuban government and it doesn't change?" asked Vicki Huddleston, chief of the U.S. Interests Section, the American mission here. "Then you find out you are just supporting Fidelismo," said Huddleston, using a term that signifies support for President Fidel Castro.

.....who is a communist dicator, so it signifies support for communist oppression.

Cuba Says No More U.S. Imports Until Embargo Eased (He can hold his breath)-- He said Cuba would see as positive any new measures easing the ban on U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba or allowing U.S. firms or banks to offer Cuba credit for its imports because Cuba currently has to pay for any imports in cash or win credit from a third country.

Castro puts on friendly face for U.S.-Launches "charm" offensive Until I went to Cuba this last time, I was always ambivalent about whether the Cubans really welcomed any change" in American policy, said Sally Grooms Cowal, head of the reform-minded Cuba Policy Foundation, which led a U.S. congressional delegation to the island earlier this month.--- [Good LINKS about who these people are who are going down to court Castro and why.]