GENEVA (AP) -- The U.N. Human Rights Commission narrowly voted to
                  criticize Cuba's record today, when members backed a motion put forward
                  by the Czech Republic and Poland.

                  Twenty-one countries, including a number of European nations, backed the
                  resolution. Twenty, including Russia and China, voted against and 12 nations
                  abstained.

                  The United States, which had led action to condemn Cuba in previous years,
                  supported the move. Last year, a U.S. motion was narrowly defeated for the
                  first time since 1991.

                  Cuban officials accused this year's sponsors of acting as U.S. "puppets," and
                  accused Washington of "blackmail and arm-twisting."

                  Cuba said last year's vote went in its favor because countries noted a series
                  of signals, including Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba, which demonstrated
                  that the country was opening up.

                  However, Cuba has faced renewed criticism recently for recent legislation
                  that seeks to punish those who undertake acts deemed to further aggressive
                  U.S. policies toward Cuba, such as the long-standing embargo and
                  subsequent moves to strengthen it.

                  The measure seems especially aimed journalists who have no ties to any
                  government organization.

                  The resolution expressed concern about the law and urged the Cuban
                  government to "afford the country full and open contact with the democratic
                  world" by "allowing a freer flow of people and ideas."

                  Deploring ongoing rights violations "despite the expectations raised by some
                  positive steps," it also noted the conviction last month of four Cuban
                  dissidents, tried by a closed court on charges of furthering U.S. policies
                  against the communist country.