EU Drops Sanctions Against Cuba

The European Union announced today that it was dropping diplomatic sanctions against Cuba effective June 24th. The EU was prompted to impose sanctions when Fidel Castro began rounding up Cuban dissidents in the spring of 2003 when much of the world was focussed on U.S. and Coalition troops entering Iraq.

I'm not sure what Raul Castro has done to earn a reprieve. While some of the dissidents were granted medical parole and four other dissidents were released but ordered to leave Cuba (they are now in Spain) nearly all of those who were rounded up remain in prison. The EU insists it wants the prisoners released and for Cubans to have unfettered internet access. It would also be nice if Cubans could read whatever books they wished. Multiparty elections might help matters as well.