EU

Revision is up in the air

September 11, 2010

The European Union (EU) has left the October revision of its Common Position on Cuba up in the air, already having been delayed on two occasions, arguing that the debate over the validity of the document, which frames relations with the island, requires “great prepatory work.” [EFE]

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In pursuit of change to EU’s Cuba policy

July 28, 2010

Deutsche Welle reports of a rebellious Spain hell-bent on pushing for change in the EU’s stance on Cuba: As holder of the rotating EU Council presidency, Spain tried to massively influence the EU position on Cuba by pushing for increased dialogue and a normalization of relations despite Cuba not yet meeting the benchmarks set out [...]

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Tactics of survival

July 21, 2010

Alvaro Vargas Llosa on the Castro brothers as masterful tacticians: Other releases have lifted people’s hopes in the past. In 1969-70, about 1,300 prisoners were deported. In 1979, after a controversial negotiation with some exiles, 3,600 opponents were set free – and expelled. In 1998, Pope John Paul II’s visit was followed by the release of [...]

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A power struggle for the future

July 21, 2010

Der Spiegel on the political and economic realities facing the Castro regime in its fight for survival: But the release of the dissidents could also be a message to the Europeans, who have not been entirely sure what to make of the new president since he officially assumed office in February 2008. Raul is believed to [...]

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Diplomatic corner

July 17, 2010

Fidel Castro met with Cuban diplomats and warned of imminent nuclear war. [infobae] Spanish diplomacy and the release of Cuban prisoners. [Radio Nederland] Prime minister of Kuwait visits Cuba to sign bilateral agreements and the opening of a new embassy. [EFE] EU diplomat: EU foreign ministers forced Spanish FM Moratinos to cede his obsession in [...]

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Prisoner release is no sign of a new era

July 11, 2010

Columnist Andres Oppenheimer in today’s The Oppenheimer Report: Cuba’s announcement that it will free 52 political prisoners over the next four months is a welcome development, but Spain’s Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos’ claim that this opens a “new phase in Cuba” is ludicrous. [...] First, Cuba has a long history of using political prisoners as [...]

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