Cuba dissidents vow to stay in church demanding pope talk to govt about rights
HAVANA - A group of Cuban dissidents who are holed up in a Havana church say they are changing their demands but vow to continue their protest.
Fred Calderon is one of 13 government opponents occupying the Church of Charity of Cobre in Central Havana since Tuesday.
He tells The Associated Press that they are no longer requesting an audience with Pope Benedict XVI when he visits this month.
Instead they want the pontiff to speak to the Cuban government about a list of demands related to human rights and political change.
Cuba considers dissidents to be mercenaries trying to undermine the government.
Calderon said Thursday in a phone interview that they won't leave the church despite pressure from Catholic officials and other dissidents.
