Tuesday, March 16, 1999; 12:10 p.m. EST

OTTAWA (AP) -- Canada is reconsidering its plan to push for Cuba's inclusion in the Organization of American States because of jail sentences imposed on four Cuban activists.

``We'll be reviewing some of the discussions we started last January about the hemispheric integration,'' Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy said Tuesday.

``We've indicated that if you're going to be a member of the hemispheric community then you have to play by those rules... The willingness to accept some form of political dissent or difference of opinion is one of those rules.''

Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who last year personally championed the cause of the four dissidents during a visit with Cuban President Fidel Castro, said Monday the sentences would cause Canada to ``review the range of our bilateral relations'' with Cuba.

``Cuba sends an unfortunate signal to her friends in the international community when people are jailed for peaceful protest,'' Chretien said in a statement.

Canada is the biggest foreign investor in Cuba, and Chretien's office indicated bilateral trade relations would not be affected by the policy review.

Following a trial in Havana that was closed to journalists and foreign observers, the four dissidents were sentenced Monday to prison terms ranging from 3 1/2 to 5 years.