By Vanessa Bauza
HAVANA BUREAU

HAVANA · Christmas has arrived at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana, where a tinsel-covered Santa Claus, snowman and twinkling candy canes adorn the lawn.

But the Cuban government apparently wants American diplomats to remove a less traditional holiday decoration currently on display: a large, brightly lit sign with the number 75, symbolizing Cuba's political prisoners.

The U.S. State Department's top man in Havana, James Cason, said Cuba's Foreign Ministry has objected to the mission's holiday decorations, warning retaliation if they are not removed.

"They haven't told us what the retaliation will be. They just said there will be consequences if we refuse to take down the Christmas decorations," Cason said Tuesday.

"They could expel us," he said. "They could continue to try to hinder our activities, which they've done constantly since we've been here. They have a whole range of options that they could decide to take. It's up to them."

But Cason said the display, which is a direct reference to 75 peaceful dissidents arrested last year, will stay.

"Our position is that our Christmas decorations are up through Christmas," he said. "It is a matter of principle to us."

The Cuban government has long accused American diplomats of subversion, provocations and meddling. But Cason has stirred more controversy than most by hosting gatherings for dozens of dissidents and independent journalists at his home.

Last week, he held a candlelit ceremony in his backyard in which opposition leaders placed their wishes for a peaceful transition in a time capsule to be unearthed on the eve of democratic elections in Cuba.

During the U.S. elections last month, he held a mock election for Cuban dissidents and recently hosted a holiday party for children of political prisoners.

Tensions between Cuba and its longtime nemesis to the north flare up periodically, but it is the first time Cason could recall Cuban officials objecting to decorations at the American mission.

The 75 sign, which is about 3 feet in diameter, was placed alongside the holiday decorations behind a tall, black fence at the heavily guarded U.S. Interests Section, on Havana's busy seaside avenue. It is meant to spark conversations and increase awareness of the plight of Cuba's political prisoners, Cason said.

"This is a time for reconciliation and tolerance and, in the holiday spirit, we wanted to draw attention once again to the fact that there are large numbers of political prisoners," he said.

Fourteen of the prisoners have been released for health reasons since this summer and European Union officials in Brussels on Tuesday recommended mending ties with Cuba, which have been seriously damaged by the dissident crackdown.

Cason said he welcomed the releases of ailing dissidents, but said dialogue is not conducive to change in Cuba.

"Those who think that dialogue with Castro will produce meaningful human rights improvements need only look at Castro's cynical trading in political prisoners over the past 45 years," Cason said.

Vanessa Bauza can be reached at vmbauza1@yahoo.com

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