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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Defying U.S., EU mulls ending Cuban sanctions |
| 2008-06-11 |
| European Union states are studying ending sanctions on Cuba in defiance of U.S. calls but have yet to agree on how this would be done, diplomats said on Tuesday. Closed-door talks on the move are continuing as EU leaders hosted U.S. President George W. Bush for a farewell summit in Slovenia. EU foreign ministers will decide on the sanctions at a meeting in Luxembourg next Monday, the envoys said. The measures were imposed after a crackdown on dissent in 2003 and include a freeze on visits by high-level officials. They were formally suspended in 2005 but an abolition would be the EU's way of encouraging Cuban President Raul Castro, who took over after the February 24 retirement of his brother Fidel. "The time could be right because of changes undertaken by Cuba's new leadership," said one EU diplomat. Changes include new rules allowing Cubans to buy cell phones, rent rooms in hotels once reserved for foreigners, and an increase in public debate. "Sanctions could possibly be lifted ... but linked with dialogue, with a review. We are working on finding the exact formula," another EU diplomat said of discussions ahead of the June 16 meeting of EU foreign ministers. |
| Posted by:Fred |