EU To Drop Sanctions Against Cuba

Diplomatic Sanctions Will Be Lifted Under Tough Conditions; Unlikely To Sway U.S.

(AP)  The European Union on Thursday agreed to lift its diplomatic sanctions against Cuba, but imposed tough conditions on the communist island to maintain sanction-free relations, officials said.

The U.S., which has maintained a decades-long trade embargo against Cuba, criticized the move, saying there were no significant signs the communist island was easing a dictatorship. An independent analyst predicted it would have no affect on U.S. policy toward the Caribbean island.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the bloc felt it had to encourage changes in Cuba after Raul Castro took over as the head of the country's government from his ailing brother Fidel.

"There will be very clear language also on what the Cubans still have to do ... releasing prisoners, really working on human rights questions," she told reporters at an EU summit. "There will be a sort of review to see whether indeed something will have happened."

The largely symbolic decision takes effect Monday. The diplomatic sanctions, which banned high-level visits to EU nations by Cuban officials, have not been in force since 2005. They were imposed in 2003 following the arrests of dozens of dissidents but suspended two years later.

In Havana, state television mentioned the EU's decision briefly but did not give any government reaction.

Leading Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya said he hopes the move does not signify the EU' approval of Raul Castro's government.

"This regime has not announced any change that is significant for rights or liberty, and we know we have to conquer that ourselves," Paya said.

As part of its action, the EU approved a set of conditions on Cuba in return for sanction-free relations. They include the release of all political prisoners; access for Cubans to the Internet; and a double-track approach for all EU delegations arriving in Cuba, allowing them to meet both opposition figures and members of the Cuban government.

Officials said the bloc will evaluate Cuba's progress in a year's time and could take new measures if human rights do not improve.

The U.S. expressed its opposition.

"We're disappointed," White House deputy press secretary Gordon Johndroe said. "We think the Castros need to take a number of steps to improve the human rights conditions for ordinary Cubans before any sanctions are lifted."

State Department Deputy spokesman Tom Casey said the United States has recently seen "some very minor cosmetic changes" in Cuba. "We certainly don't see any kind of fundamental break with the Castro dictatorship that would give us reason to believe that now would be the time to lift sanctions or otherwise fundamentally alter our policies," he said.

Peter De Shazo, Americas Program director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said the "decision will not affect the U.S. position toward Cuba" because the policy is largely fixed by legislation with key changes conditioned on a transition to democracy.

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said it was well known that certain circles in the United States wanted the EU sanctions to be maintained, but he said "we felt the need to find our own solution."

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the lifting of sanctions in no way means the EU was getting weak on Cuba.

"We haven't softened our approach," Bildt said. "It's a repressive regime. ...Now we are very explicit on what we want. We want democratic changes."

He said the EU would push strongly for Cuban authorities to open up their economy, liberate Internet access, and release political prisoners.

The EU sanctions were introduced after Cuba's government rounded up 75 dissidents in 2003. Sixteen of those arrested have been released on medical parole and another four were freed last month into forced exile in Spain. But more than 200 dissidents are still serving jail terms.

Cuba has insisted the EU sanctions be eliminated completely, and said the unilateral action violated its sovereignty.

Asked if lifting EU sanctions would weaken U.S. sanctions, Casey said simply, "We'll see," but offered no assessment.

[tootall10142]

Well finally we get cigars from my friend in europe cant wait.AHH! and that cuban rum wonder if my f150 will burn it?

[bluestardad]

ABOUT TIME TO DROP SANCTIONS!

CUBA IS NOT OUR ENEMY!

MAYBE THE ENEMY OF SOME NEOCONS BUT NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!

[questionnews]

Who put the trade embargo on Cuba in the first place???

[gopack443]

There gos my cigar smuggling idea! At least there''s still the U.S.

[afmca]

There is absolutely no practical reason for not having full and normal relations with Cuba. The Cuban nationals that continue to live in the past need to get over it. The Republicans that cater and grovel and kiss their arses are hypocritical. We have normal relations with countries far more dangerous, far more repressive, have the same issues with nationalized properties, and more actively spy and try to undermine us. Hopefully Obama will end this stupidity.

[czmdm]

We are sending our athlets to China and we can''t go to Cuba? What a joke! We have relations with everyone we''ve ever had a war with and trade and travel is permitted (except N. Korea) and we''ve never actually been at war with Cuba since the time of Roosevelt. Time to open it back up and get on with improving the world.

[cdfoxtrot]

Gue3ss the EU is tired of smoking those crummy EU cigars and are ready for a good hand-rolled Cuban Stogie for a change.

Posted by docpeter

They already have access to Cuban cigars. There''s no trade embargo. And people from the EU visit Cuba for vacations. Beautiful place, by all accounts.

The US would have more credibility on the "human rights" issue if it applied the same standards to all countries. It doesn''t. In fact, it throws billions of dollars a year at Israel, one of the world''s greatest violators of human rights.

Anyway, glad to see the EU cocking a snoot at Bush on this.

[kuei12]

Actually it was bush who destroyed america. The native americans discovered it. Gte your facts straight. No doubt you suffered hardships in your country. So why didn''t you stay there and try to make a difference? Did it help your people to run to america instead of making a stand?
Guess what! Anybody can run. When you all stand together and fight back for what is right you WILL be victorious. When people are devided though fear you cannot make a difference.
America was once the place to "live the dream". Not anymore. Perhaps it is time for you to go back and foster the dream within your own people to make a change instead of hiding out in america like a coward.
What has bush done to help "YOUR" country...or ours? Bush is nothing more than a slumblord driving the entire world into a pit of hate and discontent.

[mnieto2]

Wow! OK. Here we go again! As I was born in Pinar Del Rio Cuba in 1962 and my parents came to the U.S in 1965 after a communist family took all of our belongings including vehicles, jewelry, clothing, burnt our pictures and took our home, you liberals still blame bush for this acceptable behavior that continues today in Cuba! He wasn''t even around then! You spoiled brats! You have not seen the other side, but I have and have also proudly serve in The Marines and I''m living the dream here that your great grand parents fought for you, but you''ve forgotten! Yes, Bush also prevented Columbus from discovering America to!

[kuei12]

Hooray for Cuba. Maybe bush needs to get his head out of his *** and join in the effort to get along with our neighbors.

[midland666]

about time.
all the embargo ever did was to punish the people.

[imotorist]

terrorislami = raving lunatic........................

[docpeter-2009]

Gue3ss the EU is tired of smoking those crummy EU cigars and are ready for a good hand-rolled Cuban Stogie for a change.

[petro49l]

Cuba is an oil rich nation. The off shore reserve is deep and expansive. All around South America, the continent has the best quality and quantity of petroleum. American Oil Companies have a good opportunity. The Governments want revenue. The American Consumer requires stable price and a powerful gasoline. Energy Corporations look for a cheap lease and inexpensive transport of the product. Environmentalists must face the fact that removing oil from the ground is better for the ecology. Why should Oil Companies ignore massive profits?