Cautious EU greets Cuba gesture

A European Union commission spokeswoman has called Cuba's move to re-establish contacts with eight EU countries "a step in the right direction". Monday's move signalled a thaw in the "cocktail wars" which have stymied Cuba-EU ties since June 2003. The dispute boiled over when eight European embassies began inviting Cuban dissidents to parties in protest at Cuba's human rights record. A prominent dissident said the European gesture had served its purpose. The spokeswoman for the commission - the EU's executive arm - said Cuba's decision to re-establish contacts with eight European capitals was a "positive development". The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia remain out of Cuba's favour. Diplomats say those nations have opposed a softening of ties with Havana. The dispute began over Cuba's imprisonment of 75 dissidents - which Havana says are mercenaries in the pay of Washington - and its execution of three men who attempted to hijack a ferry.