Britain is taking a "closer look" at Bermuda's plans to step up cultural ties to Cuba after the European Union (EU) passed sanctions against the Communist regime, the United Kingdom Foreign Office said yesterday.

The European sanctions - including a scaling back of cultural ties - were passed unanimously last week in protest at the recent execution of three hijackers and the jailing of the 73 dissidents and independent journalists.

Bermuda was hoping to sign a memorandum of understanding on cultural matters with Cuban president Fidel Castro's regime.

A Foreign Office spokesman in London told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "They (the British Government) are having a look at the memo to double check what is happening and they haven't made a decision.

"They want to make sure everything is covered. It was being looked at, but with these (EU sanctions) coming up, it will be looked at closer.

"It was going to happen anyway, but this is to make sure all the bases are covered."

The spokesman said that if approved, the memorandum will be signed by either Governor Sir John Vereker, or Premier Jennifer Smith.

He said the memorandum was now "at its final stages".

The decision to seek closer ties to Cuba has sparked fierce criticism from the Opposition United Bermuda Party, which claims it could endanger the Island's trading relationship with its biggest partner, the United States.

US consul general in Bermuda Denis Coleman has said he is "perplexed" at Bermuda's moves towards Cuba when the regime is attracting international condemnation for cracking down on dissidents.

Progressive Labour Party deputy speaker Walter Lister said in the House of Assembly on Friday there had been no change in policy towards Cuba, and the whole issue was just "spin" from the media and Opposition.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has already announced Bermuda will be giving old buses to Cuba, and may sell old cars and ferries to the Caribbean island.