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European Governments Demand
Answers From Cuba 71540
By VOA
News, 20 May 2005.
European officials have reacted angrily
to Cuba's expulsion of two lawmakers and
the detention of at least two Polish journalists
ahead of a dissident assembly.
The German and Czech foreign ministries
summoned Cuban diplomats to seek an explanation.
And Poland summoned the Cuban ambassador
to demand the release of its citizens.
On Thursday, Cuban authorities expelled
one legislator from , Arnold Vaatz
and one from the Czech Republic Senator
Karel Schwarzenberg. The men had planned
to attend a dissident conference set to
begin Friday in Havana.
The detained Polish journalists were planning
to report on the meeting. The dissidents
are seeking democratic reforms after decades
of Communist rule.
Cuban leader Fidel Castro has characterized
the dissidents as "mercenaries"
bankrolled by the United States.
European officials warn that Havana's actions
could damage relations between Cuba and
the European Union.
Some information for this report provided
by AFP and AP.
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