Castro 'laments' dissident's death

Castro 'laments' dissident's death
February 25, 2010 - 6:45AM

HAVANA - Cuban President Raul Castro issued an unprecedented statement
of regret over the death of a jailed dissident after a lengthy hunger
strike that has sparked condemnation in Washington and in European capitals.

The Cuban leader blamed the United States for the death of Orlando
Zapata Tamayo, but did not explain how Washington was responsible.

"Raul Castro laments the death of Cuban prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo,
who died after conducting a hunger strike," the Foreign Ministry said in
a statement on Wednesday, adding that any reports that the man was
tortured or mistreated in jail were false. Zapata Tamayo launched the
hunger strike to protest what he said were poor prison conditions on the
island.

"There are no torture victims, there have not been any torture victims
nor have there been any executions," the ministry quoted Castro as
saying during a joint appearance with Brazilian President Luiz Igancio
Lula da Silva that was closed to media on the island.

"That sort of thing happens at the base at Guantanamo," it added,
referring to the US military base in eastern Cuba that has been used to
jail terror suspects.

Cuban officials almost never comment on dissident activity, which they
view as illegitimate and a creation of Washington. Castro weighing in
personally was a first.

Castro 'laments' dissident's death (25 February 2010)
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/castro-laments-dissidents-death-20100225-p3ys.html