By ANITA SNOW
 Associated Press Writer

 HAVANA (AP) — Characterizing Cuba's current friendliness toward Americans as a "charm offensive'' aimed at changing U.S. policy,
 the top American diplomat in Havana said Thursday that the communist island must also embrace democracy and human rights if it
 expects restrictions on trade and travel to end.

 ``What happens if you give a lot of money to the Cuban government and it doesn't change?'' asked Vicki Huddleston, chief of the U.S.
 Interests Section, the American mission here. ``Then you find out you are just supporting Fidelismo,'' she said, using a term that
 signifies support for President Fidel Castro.

 ``Is there a better relationship? No,'' Huddleston told reporters. ``The relationship is not improving because we are still concerned
 about human rights, democracy, the free flow of information.''

 A new, less strident tone from Havana toward Washington was evident immediately after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, which Castro
 condemned that day while offering the United States medical assistance.

 The Cuban government did criticize subsequent U.S. military actions in Afghanistan. But even those criticisms faded after Hurricane
 Michelle struck in early November, causing severe damage to central Cuba.

 Cuba was impressed when the U.S. government offered to provide hurricane relief, a suggestion it politely declined. Instead, it agreed
 to make the first direct purchases of American food in nearly 40 years to replenish reserves depleted after the storm.

 The first direct deliveries of the American corn, wheat, soy, rice and chicken coincided with a flood of Americans visiting the island, from
 congressional delegations to business, educational and cultural groups. Many of the more than 2,000 Americans who visited the
 island in January with U.S. approval attended friendly meetings with Castro himself.

 Among Havana's most surprising gestures was the announcement it would not oppose the U.S. military's decision to house prisoners
 from the war on Afghanistan at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo, Cuba.

 Huddleston said Washington appreciated Havana's stance on Guantanamo but ``the problem for us is that nothing has
 fundamentally changed in Cuba.'' Her assertions echoed statements last week by the State Department.

 On a separate issue, Huddleston said members of Cuba's political opposition should not be underestimated.

 ``The human rights activists represent those people who would like to be part of the world,'' Huddleston said. ``The independent
 journalists represent all the people who want to speak out.''

 Seven of the dissidents met briefly with Mexican President Vicente Fox during his trip here Monday.

 The meeting, Huddleston said, was ``very, very important'' because it provided the dissidents with recognition.

 ``Those dissidents represent the Cuban people and their hopes,'' she said.