Wives of jailed Cuban dissidents urged American activist Cindy Sheehan to visit the island's prisons to see 'inhumane' conditions.

BY VANESSA ARRINGTON
Associated Press

HAVANA - Wives and mothers of Cuban political prisoners urged American peace activist Cindy Sheehan on Monday to visit the island's state-run jails during her weeklong trip to Cuba to call for the closure of the U.S.operated Guantánamo prison.

The Ladies in White, a group of women demanding the release of their loved ones, described what they called ''inhumane'' conditions at Cuba's prisons in a letter for Sheehan that was sent to international reporters. The group said it was trying to get a copy to Sheehan as well.

''At the same time you and your noble followers fight for the closure of the U.S. prison at the Guantánamo naval base . . . just a few miles away at the provincial Guantánamo prison in Cuban territory, peaceful and defenseless political prisoners suffer inhumane conditions, [living] without potable water and with poor nutrition, deficient medical assistance, insects and rodents, limited visits and precarious communication,'' the letter said.

''We exhort you to visit the prisons of Cuba, chosen randomly, and not those prepared'' by authorities, it added.

Sheehan arrived in Havana on Saturday with a dozen other peace activists and plans to attend a human rights conference in the city of Guantánamo on Wednesday. Thursday, the group is to hold a protest outside the U.S. Navy's Guantánamo Bay base, where nearly 400 men are being held on suspicion of links to al Qaeda or the Taliban.

The exact location of the protest has not been announced, but it may possibly be at the Northeast Gate, the crossing between Cuba and the naval base.

In the letter, the Ladies in White said they are a peaceful group that faces harassment from Cuban officials. They asked Sheehan to meet them so she ``could know this other reality of Cuban society.''

Their jailed husbands and sons are among 75 activists rounded up in the spring of 2003 and sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to 28 years. Sixteen of those prisoners have since been released for health reasons, but more than 300 human rights activists, independent journalists and members of outlawed political parties remain behind bars, rights groups say.

Thursday's protest will coincide with demonstrations around the world to mark the fifth anniversary of the first prisoners' arrival and demand that the prison be closed.