Rice: Cuba is on the verge of a major transition
BY PAUL HAVEN
Associated Press
MADRID --
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Cuba was on the verge of a
''major transition,'' and chided Spain on Friday for doing business with
Fidel Castro while not working more to support dissidents in the
communist island nation.
Rice's one-day visit here was meant to smooth over a three-year downturn
in relations between Washington and the Spanish government, but the
disagreement over Cuba has threatened to wash away any growing good
will. At issue is Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos'
decision to snub Cuban dissidents on a visit to Havana in April.
''I have made it very clear that I have real doubts about engagement
with a regime that is anti-democratic. Spain has a different view on
that,'' Rice said during a news conference alongside Moratinos. ``People
who are struggling for a democracy need to know that they are supported.''
Moratinos replied that he had explained his government's position that
engagement was the best way to influence Castro's regime, and added that
he hoped Rice would see the wisdom of the approach in time. As Moratinos
continued to speak, she looked at the crowd of reporters and silently
mouthed what appeared to be the phrase, ``Don't hold your breath.''
Earlier Friday, Rice said Western democracies must do more to help
democracy win the day in Cuba, especially considering the lingering
health problems of the 80-year-old Castro.
''There is a major transition coming in Cuba, and I think democratic
states have an obligation to act democratically,'' Rice said.
Despite the harsh words, the two senior diplomats were all smiles at the
joint news conference, calling each other ''Condi'' and ''Miguel'' and
kissing each other on both cheeks. Both stressed that relations between
the United States and Spain remain fundamentally positive.
Rice arrived just after midday and met with Spanish King Juan Carlos
before the talks and a working lunch with Moratinos. She was meeting
with Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and the head of Spain's
conservative opposition later Friday.
Zapatero has said he would also be glad to discuss Spain's position on
Cuba with Rice, and hoped his explanation would assuage U.S. concerns.
''Countries and governments don't have to have equal visions on every
aspect of international policy,'' Zapatero said earlier this week. ``But
it is positive that we are talking about it. Surely, when we talk, our
positions will become more understandable.''
Zapatero's office has downplayed the significance of his meeting with
Rice, saying it would be brief and characterizing it as a ``courtesy call.''
Rice's visit was the first by a senior U.S. official in three years, and
she was candid when asked why it had been so long.
''There is no secret that we have had differences with Spain on a number
of issues, but we have also had very good cooperation with Spain on a
number of issues,'' she said aboard the plane.
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