Summit decries protectionism

MADRID (Reuter) - Leaders from Spain, Portugal and Latin America criticised Cuba and the US at the end of a summit meeting in Madrid.

The 18 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to economic reforms as guarantees of stable democracy and cited poverty as a prime source of instability.

A document, agreed after two days of talks, affirmed the commitment of the Ibero-american nations to 'representative democracy, respect of human rights and fundamental liberties'. Sources said the reference to 'representative democracy' was an implicit criticism of Cuba's Communist regime and President Fidel Castro. But a Cuban spokesman said Cuba had no problem accepting the text.