Saguaro
06-10-2008, 07:24 AM
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union states are nearing agreement on ending sanctions on Cuba in defiance of U.S. calls for continued pressure for democratic reform on the communist island, diplomats said on Tuesday.
Closed-door talks on the move are continuing as EU leaders host President George W. Bush for a farewell summit in Slovenia. EU foreign ministers could endorse the step at a meeting in Luxembourg next Monday, the envoys said.
The measures were imposed after a crackdown on dissent in 2003 and include a freeze on visits by high-level officials. They were formally suspended in 2005 but an outright abolition would be the EU's way of encouraging Cuba's new leadership after the February 24 retirement of Fidel Castro.
"The time could be right because of changes undertaken by Cuba's new leadership," said one EU diplomat. Signs of an opening include new rules allowing Cubans to buy cell phones, rent rooms in hotels once reserved for foreigners, and an increase in public debate.
"Sanctions could be lifted ... but linked with dialogue, with a review. We are working on finding the exact formula," another EU diplomat said of the ongoing talks ahead of the June 16 meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Former colonial power Spain has long led calls for an end to the EU sanctions, which unlike the 1962 U.S. embargo do not prevent trade and investment. But it has met resistance from the bloc's ex-communist members, notably the Czech Republic.
Prague is skeptical of signs of progress in Cuba and wants the EU to take a "dual-track" approach under which high-ranking delegations would be obliged to raise human rights and democracy concerns during any visits, and to meet opposition groups.
"This is our condition for the negotiation (on ending the EU sanctions)," a spokesman for the Czech delegation in Brussels said, adding that Prague was concerned changes brought in by Castro's brother Raul were largely cosmetic.
The lifting of EU sanctions would put the 27-member bloc at odds with Washington over Cuba policy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080610/ts_nm/eu_cuba_dc;_ylt=AtHSac0cXknmIqXFeXdg5w5Z.3QA
Closed-door talks on the move are continuing as EU leaders host President George W. Bush for a farewell summit in Slovenia. EU foreign ministers could endorse the step at a meeting in Luxembourg next Monday, the envoys said.
The measures were imposed after a crackdown on dissent in 2003 and include a freeze on visits by high-level officials. They were formally suspended in 2005 but an outright abolition would be the EU's way of encouraging Cuba's new leadership after the February 24 retirement of Fidel Castro.
"The time could be right because of changes undertaken by Cuba's new leadership," said one EU diplomat. Signs of an opening include new rules allowing Cubans to buy cell phones, rent rooms in hotels once reserved for foreigners, and an increase in public debate.
"Sanctions could be lifted ... but linked with dialogue, with a review. We are working on finding the exact formula," another EU diplomat said of the ongoing talks ahead of the June 16 meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Former colonial power Spain has long led calls for an end to the EU sanctions, which unlike the 1962 U.S. embargo do not prevent trade and investment. But it has met resistance from the bloc's ex-communist members, notably the Czech Republic.
Prague is skeptical of signs of progress in Cuba and wants the EU to take a "dual-track" approach under which high-ranking delegations would be obliged to raise human rights and democracy concerns during any visits, and to meet opposition groups.
"This is our condition for the negotiation (on ending the EU sanctions)," a spokesman for the Czech delegation in Brussels said, adding that Prague was concerned changes brought in by Castro's brother Raul were largely cosmetic.
The lifting of EU sanctions would put the 27-member bloc at odds with Washington over Cuba policy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080610/ts_nm/eu_cuba_dc;_ylt=AtHSac0cXknmIqXFeXdg5w5Z.3QA