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EU criticises

US on

Cuba trade law

WASHINGTON: The European Union failed on Thursday to extract concessions from the United States on implementation of a controversial U.S. law on trade with Cuba, European Commission Vice President Sir Leon Brittan said.

"The United States government took note of the points we've made, but made no commitments," Brittan said at a news conference after he and Italian Foreign Minister Susanna Agnelli met with U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

Brittan said the EU wanted President Bill Clinton to use the discretion allowed him under the so-called Helms-Burton law not to implement provisions that would allow Cuban-Americans to sue foreign companies that trade with Cuba in U.S. courts.

"I hope the United States will understand that the damage it would do, if that is enacted and implemented, to EU-U.S. relations will far outweigh any beneficial effect it may have on the Cuban regime," Brittan said.

Brittan said the international community also wanted advance notice of how the United States planned to implement a section of the bill barring individuals who "trafficked" in Cuban property from entering the United States.

The law is aimed partly at blocking new foreign investment sought by Cuba's communist President Fidel Castro. It has been criticised by many U.S. allies.

Clinton administration officials initially voiced concerns that the measure violated international law, would anger the allies and might spark retaliatory measures.-Reuter