Dissidents, Cuba vie for spotlight

Havana - Cuba's communist government as well as prodemocracy dissidents sought to take the spotlight yesterday as leaders from…

Havana - Cuba's communist government as well as prodemocracy dissidents sought to take the spotlight yesterday as leaders from Spain, Portugal and Latin America gathered for a summit in Havana.

The visiting dignitaries were expected to press for an end to the 37-year-old US trade embargo on Havana, but also to call for more democracy in Cuba. President Jorge Sampaio of Portugal, the Spanish Prime Minister, Mr Jose Maria Aznar, and several foreign ministers held talks with dissidents, while King Juan Carlos of Spain met Archbishop Jaime Ortega of Havana.