The United Nations team, which visited Cuba from Sept. 16 to 25, found evidence that only 121 long-term political prisoners were still being held in Cuban jails.

He is now serving 13 years in a Cuban jail for other matters.

A total of 27 human rights activists are now in Cuban jails.

Human rights groups estimate that there are about 1,000 political prisoners in Cuban jails.

American human rights experts say they believe there are several hundred more political prisoners in Cuban jails, and United States officials say the number may run into the thousands.

A top Vatican official submitted to the Government a list of prisoners in Cuban jails for whom the Pope was seeking clemency.

I had visions of being forced down by Migs and getting thrown in a Cuban jail for a year or two.

Last year he described his prison experience and told of the torture and degrading treatment of Cuban jails.

Mr Pilip was detained for 26 days in a Cuban jail for having established links with dissidents.

But his role as a founder of the paramilitary group Alpha 66 and the 22 years he spent in Cuban jails as a political prisoner give him unusual credibility.