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Spain 'expects Cuba dissidents' Spain 'expects Cuba dissidents'
(about 3 hours later)
The Ladies in White say their fight to secure the release of all dissidents goes onThe Ladies in White say their fight to secure the release of all dissidents goes on
The first group of dissidents freed by the Cuban government is set to arrive in Madrid on a scheduled flight on Tuesday, Spanish officials say. The first of a group of dissidents freed by the Cuban government will arrive in Madrid on two scheduled flights on Tuesday, Spain says.
It was still not clear how many would be on the first flight, an official at the Spanish foreign ministry said. Eleven dissidents and their families were expected to travel, Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said.
Last week, the Cuban government, the Catholic Church and the visiting Spanish foreign minister agreed a deal to secure the release of 52 dissidents. Last week, the Cuban government, the Catholic Church and Mr Moratinos agreed a deal to secure the release of 52 such political prisoners.
Cuba's ex-leader Fidel Castro will be on TV on Monday, official media say.Cuba's ex-leader Fidel Castro will be on TV on Monday, official media say.
The official Communist Party newspaper, Granma, said Fidel Castro would appear on television and radio in the evening to discuss his concerns about the Middle East.The official Communist Party newspaper, Granma, said Fidel Castro would appear on television and radio in the evening to discuss his concerns about the Middle East.
This image of Fidel Castro was released on 7 JulyThis image of Fidel Castro was released on 7 July
Mr Castro has not been seen in public since July 2006 when he had emergency surgery.Mr Castro has not been seen in public since July 2006 when he had emergency surgery.
Photographs emerged at the weekend showing the 83-year-old former president smiling and greeting workers.Photographs emerged at the weekend showing the 83-year-old former president smiling and greeting workers.
The images were published as the Cuban government began steps to release the first dissidents.The images were published as the Cuban government began steps to release the first dissidents.
The authorities have gathered several political prisoners and their families at separate locations in Havana.The authorities have gathered several political prisoners and their families at separate locations in Havana.
A Spanish foreign ministry official in Madrid said the first freed prisoners were expected to take a scheduled flight from Cuba on Monday evening. "I believe that according to the latest figures they will be 11 Cuban political prisoners along with their family members," Mr Moratinos told reporters in Santander in northern Spain.
Over the coming days, 17 freed dissidents are expected in Spain. Mr Moratinos said they expected up to 65 family members would be travelling with them on two commercial flights.
The first flight, on an Air Europa plane, will arrive at 1300 local time (1200 BST) and a second flight operated by Iberia an hour later, the Spanish news agency Efe reported.
Over the coming days, some 17 freed dissidents are expected in Spain.
On Sunday, a dissident group known as the Ladies in White staged its weekly march calling for the release of their relatives.On Sunday, a dissident group known as the Ladies in White staged its weekly march calling for the release of their relatives.
There were slightly fewer protesters than usual, as some had been taken to a government facility before going to the airport to join their husbands on a flight to Spain.
Protests continueProtests continue
There were slightly fewer protesters than usual as some had been taken to a government facility before going to the airport to join their husbands on a flight to Spain. The prisoner release, which could become the biggest this decade on the communist-ruled island, was announced last Wednesday.
The prisoner release, which could become the biggest this decade on the communist-ruled island, was announced last Wednesday.
Under the agreement, 52 political prisoners will eventually be freed.Under the agreement, 52 political prisoners will eventually be freed.
All were part of a group of 75 dissidents rounded up in 2003 and sentenced to jail terms of between six and 28 years.All were part of a group of 75 dissidents rounded up in 2003 and sentenced to jail terms of between six and 28 years.
Leader of the Ladies in White Laura Pollan said their marches would continue.Leader of the Ladies in White Laura Pollan said their marches would continue.
"While there is one political prisoner or prisoner of conscience, there will be Ladies in White," said Ms Pollan."While there is one political prisoner or prisoner of conscience, there will be Ladies in White," said Ms Pollan.
"This is what we pledged from the beginning and the Ladies will keep that promise.""This is what we pledged from the beginning and the Ladies will keep that promise."
Cuba has always denied that it has political prisoners, calling them mercenaries paid by the US to undermine Havana's rule.Cuba has always denied that it has political prisoners, calling them mercenaries paid by the US to undermine Havana's rule.