The Cuban dissidents, the French, and the sell-out
From The Telegraph: A leading Cuban dissident yesterday accused a "two-faced" French government of putting trade ahead of the suffering of the Cuban people
The article states that after Paris unilaterally ended a European Union diplomatic embargo against the regime of President dictator-for-life Fidel Castro, and normalised relations with his government on Bastille day,

Apparently emboldened by the French overture, Cuban authorities responded by launching the largest wave of dissident arrests since 2003, when almost the entire dissident leadership of the Communist-ruled island was rounded up.

In the latest wave of arrests, about 30 democracy activists, including Mrs Roque, were taken into custody after they attempted to protest outside the French embassy on July 14 to denounce the new policy towards Cuba. As many as 19 were still believed to be in custody last night.

I smell oil.

When Jacques comes crying crocodile tears over EU unity, remind him that it was France who moved to restore full ties with Havana by inviting Cuban government, thereby

The Bastille Day invitation went against an agreement by 24 of the 25 EU governments, who decided in February that neither dissidents nor Cuban government leaders should be invited to national day celebrations at European embassies. Spain, a vocal supporter of trade and political ties with Havana, abstained.

Now France calls for release of Cuban dissidents as Cuba frees nine dissidents but still holds 17 others in crackdown, while the "rapid-response brigades" (government-organized groups that harass and assault dissidents under the guise of a counter-protest) are back.