02.01.07
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has become embroiled in fresh controversy
over his support for communist Cuba.
He was criticised after he published a lengthy statement on his website
praising dictator Fidel Castro and his "achievements".
The Mayor spoke out after it was revealed he is to hold a festival in
2009 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Castro seizing power in the
Caribbean island. Critics have accused Mr Livingstone of a "bizarre"
choice in backing Castro, who has been the Cuban leader since 1959, when
he led an armed revolution which toppled the US-backed government.
Castro remains president, although he handed his powers to his younger
brother last year and is believed to be seriously ill, reportedly with
cancer. The festival - to be organised by Mr Livingstone - will involve
street parties, sports venues and some of London's leading museums as
well as the closure of Trafalgar Square.
Mr Livingstone today defended his decision to hold the festival, saying
there was much to celebrate about Cuba - despite its criticism by human
rights groups.
In his statement, Mr Livingstone said: "Despite the illegal and almost
universally condemned blockade Cuba has achievements which are
recognised by virtually the entire world.
"Life expectancy and infant mortality are at levels comparable to far
more economically advanced countries. Cuban bio-science is among the
most advanced in the world.
"All this contrasts to a situation where prior to the revolution of
1959, under political figures supported by the US government, up to one
in three Cuban women was forced into prostitution and Cuba was largely
run in the interests of the Mafia.
"The Cuban revolution of 1959 was therefore an extraordinary event not
just for Cuba but for the region as a whole and I have never concealed
my support for this fact."
Human Rights Watch, the respected international campaign and monitoring
body, said Castro's regime had "abusive policies".
Daniel Wilkinson, deputy director of HRW's Americas division, said:
"Cuba is a country that for decades under Castro has denied its people
basic freedoms-like freedom of expression and association. People are
thrown in jail for their political activities.
"The government has used a wide range of oppressive tactics to enforce
political conformity, including criminal prosecutions, long and
short-term detentions, house arrest, surveillance, mob harassment and
politically motivated dismissals from employment."
Edward McMillan-Scott, vice-president-of the European Parliament and a
Tory MEP who has just flown back from Cuba, said: "It's a crumbling
society and no one in a legitimate democracy could defend it. Ken
Livingstone brings shame to London by trying to do so.
"I am aghast at his statement. I really do think the Government should
rein him in. Cuba is a disaster politically, economically and socially.
The whole thing is a horror story. The populationis enslaved. Any
visitor to Havana would feel appalled at a museum civilisation which in
cultural and social terms has not moved since 1959, but where some
courageous souls dare to raise the flag of reform."
Mr Livingstone also came under attack when he travelled to Cuba last
November for six days to attend an Olympic conference which lasted only
30 minutes, at a cost of more than £35,000.
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