European Parliament highly critical of Cuba
A resolution criticizing Cuba for the death of dissident Orlando Zapata
Tamayo drew angry retorts.
By JUAN O. TAMAYO
jtamayo@ElNuevoHerald.com
The European Parliament voted Thursday to condemn Cuba by a crushing
margin over a hunger striker's death, and Spain's ruling Socialists
later hinted they might trim back their bid to improve European ties
with Havana.
The 509-30 vote drew an angry retort from Havana, saying it was the
result of a ``dirty debate'' and ``profound cynicism'' by rich nations
that opt for ``consumerism'' while Cuba helps poor nations like Haiti.
``A condemnation so discriminatory and selective can be explained only
by the failure of a policy incapable of bringing a heroic people to its
knees,'' declared Cuba's legislature, the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, Cuban dissident Guillermo Fariñas was rushed to a hospital
Thursday, his 16th day of refusing food and liquids to demand the
release of political prisoners. Fariñas fainted around 2 p.m. while
friends and journalists were visiting him, and was taken by private car
to the Arnaldo Milian Castro hospital in his hometown of Santa Clara,
said his wife, Clara Pérez.
At their meeting in Strasbourg, France, European lawmakers issued a
toughly worded text reflecting their anger over the recent death of
political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo after an 83-day hunger strike.
The resolution ``energetically condemns the avoidable and cruel death''
of Zapata, calls for the ``immediate and unconditional release of
political prisoners'' and says that Cuban dissidents are jailed ``for
their ideals and peaceful political activity.''
It also urges EU agencies and officials to begin a ``structured
dialogue'' with Cuban civil society and ``provide unconditional support,
and encourage without reservations, the start of a peaceful process of
political transition toward multi-party democracy.''
Havana human rights advocate Elizardo Sánchez praised the resolution,
saying that ``never before had there been such a strong declaration on
Cuba by the European democracies. ''
Cuba insists it holds no political prisoners, only ``mercenaries'' paid
by the U.S. and other governments to try to subvert its communist system.
European Parliament highly critical of Cuba - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com (12
March 2010)
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/12/1525572/european-parliament-highly-critical.html
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