Opponents of US embargo on Cuba lament new crack-down on dissidents - It's Bush's Fault *** "The group of people that's running policy toward Cuba are ideologically committed to ending the regime, and I think would like nothing better than to see even the nominal cooperative relationship we have evaporate," said Sweig. Castro's response has been to send "a message internally to the Americans," said Sweig.
"The message is that 'if you force us, if you rub in our face the fact that you're helping to organize these dissidents, we're going to have to crack down on them, but if you pull back a little bit we'll allow them to function.'" According to Erikson, both the US and Cuban governments are interested in increasing hostilities: the United States, to boost areas of its own national politics, notably in favor of the anti-Castro community in Miami, and Castro, because he is fearful of losing power. ***
The Last Straw? White House lashes Cuba over dissident crackdown*** WASHINGTON (AFP) - The White House pointed an accusing finger at Cuba's latest crackdown on dissidents, calling it proof President Fidel Castro's government remains a "totalitarian blight" on the region. "We are not going to reverse our policy of helping the dissidents," pledged national security spokesman Michael Anton, who said US President George W. Bush was "deeply concerned" about Castro's heavy-handed tactics. In the widest crackdown on opposition to the Castro government in years, dozens of dissidents, including journalists, economists and political reformers, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms this week. "The Castro regime's arrest, prosecution and sentencing of these brave and peaceful activists are repugnant reminders that the regime remains a totalitarian blight in an otherwise peaceful and democratic hemisphere," said Anton.
The US House of Representatives meanwhile unanimously approved a resolution condemning the arrests of 79 Cuban dissidents and the harsh sentences handed down to dozens of them. The measure passed by 414 "yes" votes and 10 abstentions, said the office of Florida Republican Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who co-sponsored it. "The House of Representatives sent a clear message today in support of the Cuban people's right to be free and in opposition to the brutal tyranny that oppresses Cuba," said Diaz-Balart, a Cuban-American and hardline Fidel Castro opponent. "Today's vote honors the Cuban people as well as the American people," he said. ***