Mayor in new row over praise for Castro
This is London
Havana laugh: Ken Livingstone has caused fresh anger by publishing on his website a lengthy paean to the island's communist dictator, Fidel Castro
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".
• DJ Read joins 'X factor-style' Mayor race
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment