Brussels, 17/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - Visibly indifferent to criticism from the European Parliament and the EU Council in declarations condemning the wave of arrests and trials against representatives of the Cuban opposition, the Cuban ambassador to the EU, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, defended Cuban policy during a press conference and reaffirmed his country's interest 'in adhering to the Cotonou Agreement.'
There was nothing illegal about these sanctions', since they were pronounced in accordance with Cuban law, he stated. The death penalty pronounced upon three Cubans who hijacked an ferry was described as 'an act of terrorism'. 'We do not like implementing the death penalty', but for Cuba it was an act of 'legitimate defence', stated the ambassador. 'We are not the only ones in the world to pass the death penalty. It is often implemented in Texas, a State where George W. Bush was governor', he pointed out. According to the ambassador, the reaction of the Cuban authorities and the result of pressure brought to bear by the United States which, after having imposed an embargo and restrictions on investments by means of the Helms-Burton Law, was financing dissidents in a bid to 'bring down our government.' After Irak, an invasion of Cuba could not be ruled out, he went so far as to say.
In spite of everything, the ambassador reaffirmed Cuba's interest in adhering to the Cotonou Agreement EU/ACP, which should in principle be the subject of a proposal by the European Commission next June. 'We are aware that the situation will pose problems for the Cotonou Agreement', he recognized. However, Cuba insists that conditions not provided for by the agreement should not be imposed on the country. 'We want to observe the agreement, but as we are', confirmed Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz in defence of 'Cuban sovereignty'