US warns Cubans against sea trip

By Stephen Gibbs
BBC correspondent in Havana

US coastguards often pick up Cuban migrants in the Florida Straits

The most senior United States diplomat in Cuba has called on Cubans not to attempt the dangerous crossing by sea to the US mainland.

During the calm summer months hundreds of Cubans try to leave the island either aboard makeshift boats or by paying professional people smugglers.

The Cuban government says it is US policy towards Cuba which encourages this illegal migration.

But the US is issuing visas to Cubans at a record rate.

The diplomat, James Cason, stressed that Washington remains determined to discourage anyone from risking their life at sea.

With the Florida Straits currently appearing dead calm from the coast of Havana, Mr Cason warned that Cubans should not be deceived into thinking that getting to the American mainland is either easy or safe.

An estimated 2,000 Cubans attempt the 130km (80-mile) crossing every year.

Their vessels range from planks of wood to converted vintage cars, and an unknown number die at sea.

Others either make it across or are picked up by the US Coast Guard and returned to Cuba.

This repatriation is part of a deal signed between the United States and Cuba a decade ago in an effort to prevent mass illegal migration.

Invasion fear

In recent weeks senior Cuban officials have accused the US of attempting to provoke a new migration crisis.

They say that the Bush administration is looking for a pretext for a military invasion.

Mr Cason said that that is a straight lie and that the Cuban government is irresponsibly deceiving its people about US policy.

He said US diplomats should be allowed access to Cuban state media in order to tell the Cuban people what their legal options were.

The Cuban government has not responded directly to Mr Cason's comments but it has previously said that the greatest incentive to illegal migration is the US policy of granting near automatic asylum to any Cuban who sets foot on American soil.