June 13, 2003

* Fidel Castro, in a three-hour television address, said the leaders of Spain and Italy are responsible for the diplomatic sanctions imposed by the European Union on Cuba in response to the Cuban crackdown. He said that the E.U.'s statement was a "heap of trash." He referred to Spains' Prime Minister José María Aznar as a "little fuhrer with a little mustache," and to Italy's premier as "Benito Berlusconi." Castro led a demonstration at the Spanish Embassy while his brother Raúl led another at the Italian Embassy. Havana estimated one million demonstrators participated. Cuba also announced the probable closing of Spain's Cultural Center in Havana. (TV Cubana, EFE, June 10, 11, 12).

* Rome summoned Cuba's ambassador to express its profound disgust. A close official to Premier Berlusconi said that Castro's statements were "unacceptable." In Brussels, Commissioner Poul Nielson said he was "disappointed," although the European Union will continue its economic relations with the island. (AFP, June 13)

* "Fidel is pathetic, he is already like Franco," said former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez in an interview with Andres Oppenheimer. "Something strange is happening in Cuba," he said, affirming that he had a harsh exchange with Castro after the recent executions. (La Nación, Buenos Aires, June 13)

* A State Department report includes Cuba among countries that do not adequately combat sex trafficking. Castro said the charge was "cynical and repugnant." Other countries in the report: Belize, Dominican Republic and Haiti. (AFP, June 13)

* Among other demands, the International Labor Organization (ILO) will urge the release of three Cuban union leaders sentenced to prison. (El Nuevo Herald, June 13)

* Secretary of State Colin Powell told the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Chile that the U.S. "looks forward to working with our partners in the OAS to find ways to hasten the inevitable democratic transition in Cuba. Tyrants, drug traffickers and terrorists cannot compete against economic freedom and democracy," he said.. (The Washington Post, June 10, La Tercera, Chile, June 9). "There are no plans to take preemptive action with respect to Cuba," Powell said. (The Washington Post, June 10, AFP, June 9).

* Cuba's popular singer, Carlos Manuel, crossed the U.S. border from Mexico and asked for political asylum. "Repression was one of the principal motives for my decision," the singer said. (The New York Times, June 10).

* "The family of [Cuban political] prisoner, Oscar Espinosa Chepe, 62, said he has liver disease and that his condition is deteriorating. Also, family members of well-known economist and dissident Martha Beatriz Roque, 57, said she had lost weight and was 'speaking incoherently.'" (The Washington Post, June 10).

* The daily, Granma, published an unusual chronicle of violent crimes and attacks on police officers. The official organ of Cuba's Communist Party reported about prison altercations and asaults against guards. Granma said, "there will not be impunity for violators of the law" and urged police officers to carry out their duties with "professionalism." (Granma, AFP, June 11)

* César Gaviria, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), said Cuba will be on the organization's agenda again following the General Assembly in Chile. "In this meeting there was no opportunity to reach a concensus about Cuba. It would be advantageous to find one." (La Tercera, June 11).

* The Lanahan Lumber Co. based in Jacksonville, FL, began exporting yellow pine to Cuba this week. Current law authorizes agricultural exports including wood to the island. The contract provides for 360 containers during 2003, but the total dollar amount of the contract is unknown. (El Nuevo Herald, June 11).

* Elizardo Sánchez, president of the Cuban Commission of Human Rights and National Reconciliation, said in Havana that despite government threats, dissidents will attend activities to which they are invited by European diplomats. Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque said "our laws will be rigorously enforced" against "mercenaries who try to turn European embassies into conspiracy centers." (Juventud Rebelde, AFP, June 10 and 12).

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