US refuses to lift trade ban on Cuba

US President George W Bush has refused to lift his country’s trade embargo on Cuba unless President Fidel Castro releases political prisoners, holds independently monitored elections and accepts tough new US conditions.

Mr Bush said: "Freedom grows step by step, and we will encourage those steps."

President Bush also outlined steps his administration will take to try to make life better for the Cuban nation.

One initiative would resume direct mail service to and from Cuba.

The speech on US policy towards President Castro’s country comes a week after former US president Jimmy Carter visited Cuba and called on Mr Bush to end the US’s 40-year old trade embargo.