Cuban defections 'will continue'

Cuban defections 'will continue'
By Ray Spiteri, Niagara Falls Review
Thursday, July 16, 2015 5:15:29 EDT PM

Despite improved relations between Cuba and the United States, don't
expect to see a rapid decline in defections from the Caribbean island,
says the chairman of the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association of Niagara.

"I'm sure it will continue. There are still powerful groups that exist
in the U.S., with branches in Canada, that are involved in some of these
sort of things," said Dave Thomas.

"There are a number of other athletes from other countries that stay
behind (at various international sporting tournaments), but they don't
get the attention the Cuban athletes do, likely because of the
long-standing political situation."

Four Cuban rowers defected from the Pan American games in St. Catharines
Wednesday, with the help of Cubans who are already in the U.S.

The athletes were seeking asylum in America.

Neither the Canadian nor American immigration or border authorities
would comment on the Cuban rowers, citing privacy regulations.

Thomas, a Fort Erie resident, said it's common for Cuban athletes to
have to deal with defection issues when they are competing for their
country outside of Cuba. He said Cuba often has to consider their
"loyalty to their country" as well as the talents of prospective
athletes when choosing teams.

Thomas' group helps to organize educational trips to Cuba for Canadians,
who spend two weeks living and working with Cubans.

"We're about trying to develop friendships between Canadians and Cubans
on a person-to-person level, and encourage our government to maintain
good diplomatic relations with Cuba."

Thomas said this year is the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations
between Canada and Cuba.

"We are one of two countries to never break relations with Cuba after
the revolution, the other being Mexico," he said.

Martha Mason, executive director of the Fort Erie Multicultural Centre,
said the centre doesn't normally have contact with Cubans.

In fact, they haven't assisted one Cuban newcomer to Canada this year.

Mason said the organization helps about 1,800 newcomers a year who
arrive in Fort Erie with the hope of settling successfully into Canadian
society — 892 so far in 2015.

She said the centre provides hospitality, child care and information to
newcomers.

People from Colombia are at the top of the list of countries the
multicultural centre has dealt with this year, followed by people from
Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Fort Erie, which is a border town neighbouring Buffalo, N.Y., has a
history of welcoming and integrating newcomers, connected to the
abolishment of slavery in 1793 in Upper Canada and the famous
Underground Railroad.

Mason said it's difficult to say how the changing human-rights situation
in communist Cuba and the prospect for changes in the relations between
the U.S. and Cuba will impact the number of Cuban defectors.

"I do think there is more emphasis globally on improving relations
between countries and improving human rights," she said.

ray.spiteri@sunmedia.ca

Source: Cuban defections 'will continue' | St. Catharines Standard -
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/07/16/cuban-defections-will-continue