Odds and ends

• In Granma, descriptions of the ten new Cuba-Brazil agreements.

• Cuban American groups in Miami call on Cubans to stay home on Sunday and not participate in the electoral “farce,” and they say they will release statements to the same effect from Cuban dissidents.

• Elizardo Sanchez’ group reports that the Cuban political prisoner population dropped from 283 to 234 last year, but the human rights situation did not improve, as the government relies less on long-term imprisonment and more on harassment and short-term detentions.

• President Bush suspended Title III of the Helms-Burton law yesterday, as he and his predecessor have done every six months since the law took effect. His action continues to block the ability of Cuban Americans to bring lawsuits in U.S. courts against investors in Cuba whose investments touch their former properties. The President said his action “is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.”

• Guatemala’s new president says relations with Cuba will strengthen, expresses “profound appreciation” for Cuban doctors working in his country, and is talking with Cuba about possible Cuban aid to promote literacy.