CzechRep to propose steps towards Cuba in EU

CzechRep to propose steps towards Cuba in EU - Svoboda

Prague- The Czech Republic is preparing steps and proposals for the EU
talks on the relations to Cuba, Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda told
reporters at an extraordinary press conference after the return of
expelled Czech diplomat Stanislav Kazecky from Cuba today.

Svoboda (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) did not specify what proposals
the Czech Republic would submit to the EU. He only said that the Czech
Republic wants the EU to take a joint stance on Cuba.

"This does not mean that we will embrace [Cuban leader] Fidel Castro,"
Svoboda noted.

Kazecky, fist secretary of the Czech diplomatic mission in Havana,
returned to Prague today as the Cuban authorities refused to extend his
visa and accused him of subversive activities and work for the USA.

Kazecky and the Czech Foreign Ministry denied these accusations.

In reaction to the Cuban steps, the Czech Republic did not extend the
visa of a Cuban diplomat in Prague and thereby practically expelled him
from the country.

Svoboda today said that there was no reason to expel Kazecky from Cuba
as he violated no rules, not even habitual ones, not to mention laws and
agreements. He added that the Cuban accusation that Kazecky photographed
military facilities is just a false pretext.

Svoboda said that the Czech Republic is not provoking the Cuban regime
and wants to have good relations with Cuba. It is Cuba that is violating
the rules of decency, he noted.

Svoboda claimed that Cuba should observe the universal character of
human rights and freedoms. He also stressed that the Czech Republic
supports people who are striving for democracy in Cuba.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry accused Kazecky of violating the rules of the
Vienna convention, performing intelligence work and subversive tasks,
photographing Cuban military bases and distributing money and printed
material to "mercenary groups."

Kazecky said in an interview for the Czech daily Lidove noviny on
Saturday that he supported the Cuban opposition. However, he denied
having consciously approaching Cuban military facilities with the aim to
map them.

Autor: ČTK. (ČTK)
16:54 - 16.04.2006
http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=183390