Diplomat visits Britons held in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba -- Seven Britons detained in Cuba for possible offences against national security have been visited by British diplomats, who said they were in good health after more than a fortnight in detention.

Britain's consul in Havana, Bernard Garside, who had earlier been denied access, met the six men and one woman where they were being held at state security detention centre in Havana.

Cuba's refusal to grant consular access to the group since they were arrested on October 8 had prompted the British government to call in the Cuban charge d'affaires in London for an explanation.

The Britons were arrested while allegedly investigating a suspected case of marital infidelity involving a foreign businessman in Cuba. They were reported to have been hired by the businessman's wife.

"All are in good health. They confirmed they were being treated well and were co-operating fully with the Cuban authorities," a British embassy spokeswoman said.

"The Cuban authorities have agreed consular access will be granted in future," she added.

The Foreign Office expressed anger at the way the arrests had been handled to the Cuban charge d'affaires.

Junior Foreign Office Minister Peter Hain said in a statement: "I received no satisfactory explanation as to why the British Embassy in Havana had been unable to offer consular assistance to the seven British nationals ... in breach of the Vienna Convention. This is most unsatisfactory."

He demanded that charges be brought against the Britons or that they be released.

The British Embassy spokeswoman named three of the Britons held as Jonathan Fawcett, Kenneth Lodge and Derek Pitt.

She could not identify the other four detainees but said Cuban authorities had told British diplomats all seven were well and were being allowed access to telephones.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Diplomats to visit Britons detained in Cuba
October 24, 2000

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