He allowed Jimmy Carter, a former American president, to meet dissidents and speak freely on television during his visit to the island last month.
Dr Richard Carter London Cubaa's dismal human rights record … Cuba's repressive internal policies … the president will meet dissidents today" (Editorial, 22 March).
White House officials have stressed that the president will meet dissidents on Tuesday, and that he will also speak in public on freedom and democracy during his stay (including in a speech expected to be broadcast by Cuban television).
"In short, Vietnam is a police state," HRW said in a letter to Obama on May 19, urging him to raise human rights, meet dissidents and former political prisoners, and give speeches making clear that improved relations depended on improved human rights.
Confined to Insein prison, Thar Gyi fell into despair when he met dissidents who had been incarcerated multiple times.
Mr Cason had met dissidents across the country, publicly backing them while attacking the regime, and allowed them to use the United States' Interests Section and his own residence for their meetings.According to Mr Cason, the Bush administration will now consider further hardening its policy towards Cuba.
When U.S. diplomats began negotiations for Obama's visit, they said any attempt to block him from meeting dissidents would be a deal breaker, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of diplomatic sensitivities.
She became the first Western leader to meet the dissident Andrei Sakharov, whose recent release from internal exile was one of the first signs that Gorbachev was serious about liberalising the Soviet system.
Francis does not want to become a tool for Cuban opposition groups, Ivereigh noted – he is not expected to meet with dissident group the Ladies in White – but any appearance of glossing over Cuba's human rights record, coupled with a harsh critique of the US, would likely ignite more conservative anger with the pope.
Benedict has no plans to meet with dissidents, Father Lombardi said, but has received their messages.
