Posted on 01/10/2005 5:23:40 PM PST by wagglebee
HAVANA -- Cuba said Monday it was resuming formal ties with all of Europe, ending a deep freeze in relations following a 2003 crackdown on dissidents and the firing-squad executions of three men who tried to hijack a ferry.
Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque told journalists that official contacts had resumed with the Havana-based ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and the Netherlands, as well as with the European Union mission. ``Cuba has re-established official contacts now with all of the EU countries,'' Perez Roque said. Although diplomatic ties with the European countries were never severed, high-level contacts between Cuba and many EU members were limited for more than 1 1/2 years.
Last week, Cuba re-established contacts with eight other European nations: France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Portugal and Sweden. Cuba earlier had resumed formal contact with Spain, Belgium and Hungary.
Relations between Cuba and Europe chilled after Cuba cracked down on the island's opposition in March 2003, rounding up and sentencing 75 dissidents to prison terms ranging from six to 28 years.
Cuba accused the activists of working with the U.S. government to undermine Fidel Castro's communist system, something the dissidents and American officials deny.
European nations were also troubled by the firing-squad executions around the same time of three men who tried to hijack a ferry to the United States.
EU members responded by unanimously agreeing to reduce high-level governmental visits and participation in cultural events in Cuba and to invite dissidents to embassy gatherings - a policy that communist officials deeply resented.
But some European nations, led by Spain's new Socialist government, say the EU sanctions have had little effect, and pressed for a new policy encouraging the Caribbean island to open up.
The deep freeze began melting in November as European Union reviewed diplomatic sanctions against Cuba and the Caribbean nation began releasing some of the 75 dissidents from prison.
Including an earlier release of dissidents for health reasons, 14 of the original 75 have now been freed, leaving another 61 still behind bars.
The United States and Cuba have not had diplomatic relations since shortly after Castro took over in 1959. In lieu of embassies, interest sections provide consular services and limited official contact.
You know the old saying
"Birds of a Feather Flock Together"
Any time America has dealt with dictators, it has been to protect our national interests and they have not been the enemies of our allies. Europe is fawning over Castro simply to offend the United States.
That is an excellent point. I find it funny that the U.S. is so quick to condemn Cuba, but doesn't hold China to the same standards. Something tells me that if Cuba had any trade potential we'd become the best of friends.
We needed to keep the Suez in Egyptian hands to keep a modicum of peace in the region. As for Argentina, we did get involved diplomatically; and I am unaware of Margaret Thatcher ever seeking US military involvement, nor has she ever (to the best of my knowledge) been critical of anything President Reagan ever did.
ending a deep freeze in relations following a 2003 crackdown on dissidents and the firing-squad executions of three men who tried to hijack a ferry.
They would not look so favorably on the US if we used the death penalty in such a manner.
No, they were "protecting National interests," the other half of that sentence.
I sense some bitterness here over the Falklands and the US siding against UK in Suez.
Also, do you think every European country is deliberately offending the US when they disagree? Don't be silly.
No worse. That would at least suggest adhering to a principle. This is sheer prostitution, the usual European motivator.
And "WHAT?" - some might ask, - did Castro/Cuba do to deserve this??
"nor has she ever...been critical of anything...Reagan ever did."
In point of fact, Thatcher was utterly opposed to the invasion of Grenada. Thatcher telephoned Reagan on October 25, 1983, and urged him not to launch an invasion of Grenada. "Thatcher was unyielding in her opposition to it." (Martin Gilbert, 'A History of the 20th Cent.', Stoddart, 1999, p.600.)
There may be other examples of disagreements between the Iron Lady and the Ray-Gun. This is just one I was able to find in a minute's browsing in a decent history book.
I liked your coy reference to the U.S. being "diplomatically involved" with Argentina. Considering that the preferred educational establishment of the assassins and torturers of the Argentinian junta was the School of the Americas, this must rate as some kind of masterpiece of understatement.
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