Blind to media repression, Europe underwrites pro-Cuban propaganda service

The European Parliament finally voted last Tursday to condemn Cuba for the "avoidable and cruel" death of a dissident hunger striker.  The 509-30 vote drew an angry retort from Havana, saying it was the result of a ``dirty debate'' and ``profound cynicism'' by rich nations that opt for ``consumerism'' while Cuba helps poor nations like Haiti.

``A condemnation so discriminatory and selective can be explained only by the failure of a policy incapable of bringing a heroic people to its knees,'' declared Cuba's legislature, the National Assembly.

But the actual policy of the European Union, pushed by the Spanish Presidency, is to defend the Cuban government's repression of the independent media. It does this in many ways, the most egregious being the spending of tens of thousands taxpayer Euros to underwrite the Inter Press Service, which functions as an apologist for the Castro regime across the developing world. The United Left Group in the European Parliament opposed the resolution condemning Cuba.

At their meeting in Strasbourg, France, European lawmakers issued gave vent to anger over the recent death of political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo after an 83-day hunger strike.

The resolution ``energetically condemns the avoidable and cruel death'' of Zapata, calls for the ``immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners'' and says that Cuban dissidents are jailed ``for their ideals and peaceful political activity.''

It also urges EU agencies and officials to begin a ``structured dialogue'' with Cuban civil society and ``provide unconditional support, and encourage without reservations, the start of a peaceful process of political transition toward multi-party democracy.''

Havana human rights advocate Elizardo Sánchez praised the resolution, saying that ``never before had there been such a strong declaration on Cuba by the European democracies. ''

Cuba insists it holds no political prisoners, only ``mercenaries'' paid by the U.S. and other governments to try to subvert its communist system.