EU to launch new Cuba talks

Posted By Joshua Keating Monday, October 25, 2010 - 2:27 PM Share

EU High Representative  Catherine Ashton is planning to contact the Cuban government for talks aimed at normalizing ties, following the recent release of dozens of poltical prisoners. The move also comes after the EU Parliament voted last week to award Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to imprisoned Cuban dissident Guillermo Farina:

The EU's policy since 1996 has been to make contacts with Cuba conditional on progress made in human rights. But Spain is leading calls to soften that position after it and the Catholic Church successfully convinced the Castro regime to release dozens of political prisoners.

In recognition of those calls, also supported by France and Italy, ministers meeting in Luxembourg asked EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to examine options for a resumption of political contacts, diplomats said.

'It is essentially about sending a couple of officials to Cuba,' Italian deputy foreign minister Alfredo Mantica told reporters. He stressed that beyond agreeing on the exploratory mission, no softening of the EU's policy was decided. Mantica explained that the issue would be taken up again once Ashton reported on her efforts.

Opposition to the proposal at the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting was led by Germany, Sweden, Poland, and several other formerly communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe.  Last week on FP, Anya Landau French called on the United States to make a similar overtures.

Also worth a read is this account of the contentious and occasionally ugly political debate that led to Farinas receiving the Sakharov. If only the Nobel had the same level of transparency. 

EXPLORE:EUROPE, HUMAN RIGHTS
 

MINATO-ALVIN

9:51 AM ET

October 26, 2010

Haitian Election

Hello,
It's time to see, say, hear, understand and change the day.....
I wanna tell you something important for Haiti going to happen in the nearest future. You all already have known that Outgoing Haitian President René Préval has set the presidential elections for Nov. 28, 2010.

As i'm concern about my Haiti. After an Heavy natural disaster It's become back dated. And bearing unmeasurable sufferings. Still now it's facing crisis from all sides, created from the Earth Quake as well as by nature. But It's time to change the day, So request all of you to come forward to make tha days ahead distinctly.
I think at this moment HAITI really needs help to be rebuild.
According to ma justification,
Haiti Election Candidates should be under consideration as a deserving personality,
who can supply the best support and leadership as a president.

 

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