Paul McGrath
Ceist:65 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of Ireland's relations with Cuba; and the issues of concern which he has raised with the Cuban Government. [8298/00]
Written Answers. - Diplomatic Relations with Cuba.
The Government, by decision of 28 September 1999, approved the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba. It is the intention that the Ambassador to Mexico will shortly be formally accredited to Cuba, with the Cuban Ambassador to London being accredited to Dublin. The Cuban Foreign Minister, Felipe Perez Roque, visited Dublin on 27 October to mark the establishment of relations between our two countries, at which time he met with the then Minister Andrews and discussed a range of issues of mutual interest. The establishment of formal diplomatic ties will enable us to deepen the friendly relations which already exist between Ireland and Cuba. It will also provide a platform and a new impetus for the further development of economic, social and cultural links between our two countries.
With our partners, we subscribe to the EU Common Position on Cuba, which was originally adopted under the Irish Presidency of the EU in December 1996. The aim of the Common Position is to foster a process of change, not to precipitate a collapse of authority which could bring about conflict in Cuba or mass emigration from there. In the spirit of the Common Position, Ireland and our EU partners oppose the US embargo against Cuba and we have consistently conveyed this view to the US authorities, as well as regularly voting against the embargo at the UN general assembly, together with all our EU partners. However, the Common Position also makes clear that full co-operation with Cuba is unavoidably inhibited by the persistent and enduring absence of fundamental human and political rights in that country.
After the Pope's visit to Cuba in January 1998 there had been a certain easing of repressive measures against political dissidents and a reduction in the number of political prisoners. Subsequently the situation deteriorated again, with an increase in the number of political detentions. In January 1999 the criminal law was amended to introduce new and even harsher legislation aimed at curbing dissidence. In March 1999, four members of the internal dissidence group were sentenced to terms of imprisonment. In a statement issued on 17 March, the EU expressed its deep regret at the sentences passed. It pointed out that the people convicted had exercised a freedom of expression which is recognised universally as a human right and that the EU could not accept that citizens exercising such a right should be criminalised by State authorities. The EU also rejected judicial proceedings of a political nature and expressed deep concern about the amendments to the criminal law further curtailing the exercise of the rights of citizens. In February 2000, there was however another discouraging development when three political dissidents were tried and sentenced to prison terms of one to three years.
At the same time, the EU reiterated its continuing objective of encouraging a peaceful transition to pluralist democracy, with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as set out in the Common Position.
Ireland has supported a number of resolutions on human rights in Cuba at the UN Commission on Human Rights, including at the last session in early 1999. With all of our EU partners, we once again called on Cuba to co-operate with all human rights mechanisms of the UN.
It is our intention to continue a dialogue with Cuba on these and other issues, in a spirit of friendship and goodwill. At the same time, and building on our newly established diplomatic links, we will work to develop and strengthen the overall political, economic and cultural relations between our two countries.