By GEORGE GEDDA
.c The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - The European Union has been systematically ignoring promises made over a year ago to promote improvements in human rights in Cuba, according to a congressional staff study released Wednesday.
"The EU's performance has been little talks and even less action,'' said the report, which was based on a recent 10-day visit to Cuba by three members of congressional committees that monitor U.S. foreign policy.
"What is shocking to us is that this cynical `business as usual' policy is motivated by the mere pennies to be made in Castro's Cuba today,'' the report said.
The report was prepared by Marc Thiessen and Roger Noriega of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Caleb McCarry of the House International Relations Committee. Their visit to Cuba encompassed the trip of Pope John Paul II.
The study concluded that the revolution of President Fidel Castro "is not surviving, it is dead, and Castro has little popular support.'' They also said that Castro retains power "solely by force fear and deprivation.''
Cuban dissidents told the visiting Americans that the European diplomatic missions most helpful to the cause of democratic reform were Spain, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
In what the Clinton administration considered to be a breakthrough at the time, the 15-nation EU adopted a "common position'' in December 1996 that linked full cooperation with Cuba on improvements in human rights and political freedom.
Based on this EU decision, President Clinton has repeatedly used his waiver authority to deny Americans the right to sue foreign companies doing business on confiscated properties in Cuba.
These provisions are outlined in Title 3 of the Helms-Burton Act of 1996, named for its two co-sponsors, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jesse Helms, R-N.C., and Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind.
"The president's repeated suspensions of Title 3 make a mockery of U.S. law, and could invite a legal challenge from Americans whose right to sue is being arbitrarily denied,'' the report said.
It noted that France and Cuba signed agreements two months ago in the air transportation and tourism sectors and that French companies inaugurated several joint ventures in Cuba a year ago.
Three months ago, it said, a top German official visited Cuba and, while neglecting the human rights issue, said his government may provide financial guarantees for German businesses interested in investing on the island.
The report also pointed out that an official EU organ in late January called for closer business ties between Europe and Cuba.
The tone of the report contrasts sharply with remarks in January by Undersecretary of State Stuart Eizenstat, who hailed the "unprecedented multilateral effort'' to push for democracy in Cuba.
AP-NY-03-04-98 1526EST