EU ADMITS FAILURE OF CUBA DIPLOMATIC EFFORT

The futility of trying to facilitate change in Cuba through diplomacy has finally been acknowledged by the EU:

MEPs on Thursday (2 February) adopted a resolution denouncing the lack of respect for human rights on Cuba.

The resolution, adopted with 560 votes in favour and 30 against, states that so far the political dialogue with Cuba has not led to greater freedom on the island or improved bilateral relations, and says EU member states should "act accordingly".

It's no surprise to see who opposed the resolution:

German communist MEP Willy Meyer, one of the minority voices that spoke against the condemnatory resolution on Thursday, defended Cuba on grounds of the regime’s solidarity with poor countries and its social achievements, arguing that the EU should not run errands for the US.

Also the Spanish socialist MEP Miguel Angel Martinez, member of the group Friends of Cuba, defended Cuba.

Mr Martinez said the resolution was flawed and lacking in reference to Guantanamo (US prison camp in a US military base on Cuba), "the worst violation of human rights on the island," he said.

Right, as if the tiny number of inmates at GITMO can be compared to the whole population of Cuba being held captive.