HUMAN RIGHTS: Cuba on Tenterhooks in U.N. Commission***GENEVA, Apr 16 (IPS) - The outcome of the vote on the Cuban situation by the United Nations maximum human rights body was postponed Wednesday, though it is evident that it will take place amidst high diplomatic tensions. Cuban dissidents say that regardless of the vote results, little will change on the island. The debate in the U.N. Commission on Human Rights underwent a radical shift within a matter of hours as a result of reactions from Latin American and European delegations to the recent crackdown on dissidents and the execution of three hijackers on the Caribbean island.***
Syria calls the annual condemnation of Cuba ``useless and even boring.'' - U.S. vote may end up aiding Cuba at U.N. - *** `SHAM PROCEEDINGS' The heated exchanges began after the U.S. delegate said dissidents were subjected to ''sham proceedings'' and condemned the firing-squad executions of the hijackers. ''The totalitarian regime of Cuba should be condemned by this body for its actions,'' said U.S. Ambassador Kevin Moley, who also referred to the Cuban government as a ''throwback'' and ``Cold War relic.''
Later, Costa Rica introduced an amendment to the original draft resolution, which called on the Cuban government to immediately release the 75 recently jailed pro-democracy activists. ''In the face of human-rights violations we cannot remain indifferent,'' Ambassador Manuel González said. Costa Rica was one of the four Latin America sponsors of the more mildly worded previous draft resolution, which only urged Cuba to allow an international human-rights monitor to examine conditions on the island and prepare a report.
The original resolution has more than 20 co-sponsors, including the United States, as well as some of Cuba's trading partners, such as Canada, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. It was not clear how Mexico would vote on the draft resolution and the amendment.***