CUBA: GOVERNMENT DEMANDS THAT UNITED STATES MISSION TAKE DOWN CONTROVERSIAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Record ID:
338233
CUBA: GOVERNMENT DEMANDS THAT UNITED STATES MISSION TAKE DOWN CONTROVERSIAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
- Title: CUBA: GOVERNMENT DEMANDS THAT UNITED STATES MISSION TAKE DOWN CONTROVERSIAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
- Date: 15th December 2004
- Summary: (U1) HAVANA, CUBA (DECEMBER 14, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. SLV DISPLAY OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS THAT INCLUDES THE NUMBER SEVENTY FIVE OUTSIDE INTEREST SECTION; SIGN THAT READS "MERRY CHRISTMAS"; SLV MORE OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS OUTSIDE INTEREST SECTION (7 SHOTS) 0.28 2. SLV CONFERENCE ROOM, MISSION CHIEF OF U.S. INTEREST SECTION IN HAVANA, JAMES CASON, PREPARING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE, MEDIA 0.32 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CASON SAYING: "We are prepared to pay whatever price for the things we believe in so whatever comes, we'll accept and so, we're just giving you a heads up as the press, that something is up and I think Cubans will do what they want to do based on their own internal determinations." 0.51 4. VARIOUS OF MEDIA 0.57 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CASON SAYING: "We're hoping, like the Europeans, that something will be accomplished but I think, we're just saying, I think, we're just saying we're very very sceptical because to us it appears this government is not about to change any of their fundamental policies in terms of human rights and basic rights their own Cuban constitution says they have." 1.18 (U1) HAVANA, CUBA (RECENT) (REUTERS) 6. SLV CHRISTMAS LIGHTS OUTSIDE INTEREST SECTION 1.26 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 30th December 2004 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: HAVANA, CUBA
- Country: Cuba
- Reuters ID: LVAE3QDI6Y3G88XCGD3WARMZ1CQE
- Story Text: U.S. Interest Section in Havana says Cuban
government demands removal of controversial Christmas
lights.
Cuba has demanded that the United States take down
Christmas lights in front of its mission in Havana's busy
sea-side drive because they include a reference to jailed
dissidents, the top U.S. diplomat in the country said on
Tuesday (December 14, 2004).
The Christmas display includes the number 75, in
reference to 75 pro-democracy activists imprisoned 20
months ago for long terms. There is an international
campaign to free them.
Mission chief James Cason said Cuba's Foreign Ministry
summoned him on Saturday and again on Tuesday and told him
to take the display down or there would be consequences.
"We're just giving you a heads up as the press, that
something is up and I think Cubans will do what they want
to do based on their own internal determinations," Cason
told a news conference.
Cuba jailed the 75 dissidents in March 2003, charging
that they were working with the United States to overthrow
the communist-run government.
President Fidel Castro and other officials have
repeatedly criticized Cason for holding dissident events in
his residence and described the U.S. mission as a "nest of
spies."
Cason has continued to hold events for dissidents and
recently asked them to place their wishes for a democratic
Cuba and buried it in backyard of his residence.
Washington broke off diplomatic relations with Havana
and imposed sanctions on Cuba after Castro's 1959
revolution, but the two countries maintain interests
sections in each others' capitals.
The Bush administration has stepped up support for
Cuban dissidents' efforts to undermine Castro's government.
Amnesty International reported in January there were 84
"prisoners of conscience" in Cuba.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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