European Union Tells Cuba To Improve Human Rights

(CNSNews.com) - The recent fence-mending between Cuba and the European Union evaporated Monday, with the EU telling the Castro government it had better improve its human rights record or else Cuba can forget about improved economic and diplomatic relations with the 15-nation EU.

In a statement, the EU foreign ministers said the human rights situation in Cuba "is still seriously wanting as regards the recognition and application of civil and political freedoms."

The ministers also criticized Cuba for refusing "to contemplate reforms leading to a political system based on those values."

The Center For A Free Cuba was pleased with the EU statement, according to spokesman John Suarez.

"Essentially, I think it's good news that the Europeans are finally taking a look at the human rights situation inside the island and starting to link the issue of diplomatic relations and hopefully trade with human rights standards," said Suarez.

Last week, EU officials met with Castro government officials in Havana, and both sides agreed the political dialogue was back on track after a hiatus of several years.

"Both parts reaffirm their willingness to exchange relative information in the area (of human rights)," according to a final declaration from last week's meeting.

The European Union five years ago declared that improved political relations between the EU and the Castro government would depend on progress in human rights and democracy.

CHRISTOPHER DODD FREE OTTO REICH ----[Excerpt] While the eyes of the world focus on the Middle East, the war on terror has its targets in this hemisphere, too. Unfortunately, President Bush's designated envoy to the Americas must fight this country's shadowy enemies with both hands tied behind his back. Otto Reich, Bush's nominee for assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, is being held hostage by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D., Conn.) who refuses to hold a confirmation hearing on Reich's candidacy. Dodd apparently would rather brood over Reich's performance in the Reagan administration than permit him to address these clear-and-present dangers today:

Venezuela. Hugo Chavez, the increasingly erratic president of this key U.S. oil supplier, has declared himself "a Maoist" and befriended pro-terrorist dictators. A Caracas-based, anti-Chavez group called the National Emergency Coalition published a veritable Chavez photo album in the September 25 Washington Times. In one picture, Chavez rides in Saddam Hussein's Mercedes with the Iraqi thug at the wheel. During an August 2000 visit, Chavez called Iraq "a model" for Venezuela.

In another snapshot, Chavez hugs Iranian President Mohammed Khatami and says, "We have sister revolutions with equal struggles and the same destiny." Elsewhere, Chavez embraces Muammar Qaddafi and calls Libya "a model of participatory democracy." Chavez greets Fidel Castro as well and says that Cuba and Venezuela are "swimming together toward the same sea of happiness."

Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez

Chavez also appears to be arming Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels. Colombian defense officials say that between January 1998 and July 2000, they captured 470 clandestine FAL rifles stamped with the insignias of Venezuela's military and its arms manufacturers.

Cuba: Castro's worker's paradise seems to be a giant O'Hare Airport for suspected terrorists. As counterterrorism consultant Paul Crespo reported in the Nov. 5 issue of Insight, three Afghans detained in the Grand Caymans shortly after the September 11 attacks allegedly arrived there from Cuba. Two others, allegedly linked financially to al Qaeda, were stopped in Panama bound for Cuba.

…Snip…..

"I need Otto Reich in place," Secretary of State Colin Powell pleaded with senators on October 3. Eight weeks later, Reich's State Department office literally remains empty, its desk unoccupied and bookshelves bare. Even as an overworked career diplomat juggles crucial security and economic matters in Reich's absence, Dodd could care less.

"That nomination's not going anywhere. That's the end of it," Dodd recently snapped. He has hurled at Reich a number of easily refuted ethical charges pertaining to his 1980s service as director of State's Office of Public Diplomacy and as Ambassador to Venezuela. However Dodd will not let his subcommittee hear Reich defend himself. Perhaps Dodd fears looking foolish once Reich demonstrates his innocence. [End Excerpt]

Jiang Zemin and Hugo Chavez

Presidents Fidel Castro (L) and Hugo Chavez board a military ship in Margarita, Venezuela, December 11, 2001. Venezuelan business and labor leaders said in the wake of a 12-hour nationwide strike, they planned a wave of further protests if President Chavez continued with his authoritarian and statist rule. REUTERS/Miraflores-Handout

Strike organizers claim victory -- Venezuela's Chávez vows to ``tighten the screws''--While last week Chávez sounded as if he may make concessions on the land law and other economic related legislation, the strike's success appeared to have hardened his attitude. ``Now, even more, we are going to accelerate the implementation of the laws we've approved. The oligarchy is asking that we eliminate them and that means we have to apply them, and fast.''

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