HAVANA (AP) - Cuba ordered the expulsion of a Czech diplomat Friday, accusing him of spying for the United States. Stanislav Kazecky, who was in charge of political, cultural and media affairs for the Czech embassy, was given 72 hours to leave the Caribbean island. He said he plans to leave Saturday evening.
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said Kazecky was repeatedly spotted attempting to photograph and enter military installations. ``These are places where he has no reason to be,'' Perez Roque said. ``We have decided not to renew his visa.'' The visa expired Friday. ``He carries out orders by American special services, works closely with the United States subversive apparatus, distributes money and materials to mercenary groups and helps the government of the United States,'' Perez Roque said.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said he had not heard of any reports of a Czech diplomat spying for the United States.
"Say, that's a new one on me!" | Kazecky said the expulsion is a result of the human rights work the Czech Republic has done. ``I've never knowingly been at a military installation,'' Kazecky said.
The Czech government repeatedly has criticized Fidel Castro's government and offered moral support to Cuban dissidents. The Czech Republic said it was responding by refusing to renew a Cuban diplomat's visa. The Cuban diplomat, who has not been identified, can stay in the Czech Republic until April 19, when the visa expires. |