Dissidents Warily Applaud Cuba Prison Release Too Early To Tell If It Heralds Big Changes In Communist Bastion, U.S., Observers Say

A day after announcing its largest amnesty program in years, Cuba began releasing human rights activists and others from prison Friday.

At least 19 inmates were set free, and none was immediately ordered to leave the country. In the past, freed dissidents have often been expelled from the island. “This is a good start, and there’s hope for a greater opening,” said dissident journalist Raul Rivero. “It’s also premature to call this a fundamental change.”

In a dramatic response to a request from Pope John Paul II, Cuba on Thursday announced the release of about 300 prisoners. But dissidents like Rivero, the U.S. government and exiles agree it still too early to tell whether the releases mean fundamental change on the Communist-ruled island.

The Clinton administration wants to see how many political prisoners will be released and what conditions are placed on them.

“If these releases lead to an increase in the sphere of freedom inside Cuba, they are an important development,” said State Department Spokesman James Rubin. “But until we have further information on the scope and conditions of these releases, we cannot fully assess their significance.”

Others argue Cuba is making progress on human rights. They say President Clinton should respond, but that his hands are tied by increased U.S. sanctions.

In March 1996, Congress passed the Helms Burton law, which tightened the 36-year-old trade embargo against Cuba. The law punishes foreign investors who use confiscated American properties in Cuba. It also restricts the president’s ability to change the embargo.

“The U.S. couldn’t do anything even if Cuba releases 500 prisoners,” said Wayne Smith, a former U.S. diplomat and Cuba expert.

Despite Helms-Burton, Clinton could resume direct flights to Cuba. The U.S. Catholic Conference and other groups that send humanitarian aid to the island have urged such a resumption.

The president also could support bills in the House and Senate that would allow the direct sale of food and medicine to Cuba. Clinton hasn’t taken a position on the measure.

Washington is likely to keep a close watch on the island, where peace activists spent the day scrambling to determine how many prisoners of conscience would be freed. The pope’s request also included criminals who are ill or old.