By ANITA SNOW
  Associated Press Writer

  HAVANA - (AP) -- Cuba's communist officials will pay homage to the American people Thursday evening with an unprecedented July 4 observance aimed
  at showing that they respect Americans and their traditions even if they don't like their government.

  The unusual cultural event in Havana's Karl Marx theater will feature music and poetry in honor of the ''noble'' American people on the anniversary of their
  independence, the Communist party daily Granma said Thursday. No other details were provided.

  ''The cultural, spiritual, and moral legacy of the American people is also the patrimony of Cuba and of the Cuban people,'' Granma said. It was unknown if
  President Fidel Castro would attend or if the event would be open to international journalists.

  At the same time, the government announced that its evening television program Thursday evening would be dedicated to 'the historic significance of the
  United States' Independence Day.''

  Castro himself often points out that his government's problems with the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush have nothing to do with its
  feelings toward the American people. In the past, he has said that Americans are more welcome in communist Cuba than in any other country.

  The American government, though, is another matter.

  Tensions between the two countries have been especially high since Bush promised on May 20 that he would not ease American restrictions against
  Cuba until Castro's government holds multiparty elections and undertakes other reforms.

  Castro last week warned that the American government would be to blamed if the U.S. mission here was closed or if U.S.-Cuba migration agreements
  were annulled because of American diplomats' actions here that ``violate our sovereignty.''

  Authorities here have been infuriated by the U.S. Interests Section's increased advocacy work on the island this year, reaching out to Cuban dissidents
  and distributing hundreds of small shortwave radios that can be used to tune in the American government's anti-Castro Radio Marti broadcasts.

  Interests Section chief Vicky Huddleston has described Cuba's dual tactic of reaching out to Americans while lashing out to their government as a ''charm
  offensive'' aimed at gaining support in the United States for efforts to ease or eliminate restrictions on U.S. trade with and travel to the communist island

  Among Havana's most surprising gestures was the announcement earlier this year 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.

  Also this year, Castro played host to former American President Jimmy Carter and allowed him to made a live, uncensored speech to the Cuban people.

  While authorities here were pleased with Carter's call for an end to U.S. restrictions, many were made uncomfortable by his calls for an opening in Cuba's
  economic and political systems.

  A little more than a month after Carter's visit, the government launched a massive campaign that enshrined the socialist system in the constitution as
  ``irrevocable, and capitalism will never again return to Cuba.''