Cuba has accused U.S. diplomats in Havana of encouraging dissenters toorganize demonstrations to mark July 4, which is Independence Day inthe United States.

Havana's Foreign Ministry published astatement in Cuba's official Granma newspaper Wednesday, sayingdiplomats in the U.S. Interests Section have been encouragingdissidents to carry out what Cuba calls "provocative actions in publicstreets."

The Foreign Ministry said U.S. diplomats have hostedteleconferences between U.S. citizens and Cuban dissidents, includingone with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, a Cuban-Americaninvolved in U.S. policy on Cuba.

The statement also said U.S.officials have visited the homes of dissident leaders and given themaccess to the Internet, cell phones, and other communication supplies. There was no immediate response from Interests Section officials.

AState Department spokesman says Cuba is one of the few places on Earthwhere simply having a meeting is deemed a threat to the government. Hesaid, without elaborating, that the Cuban statement is an indication ofthe kind of repressive regime that exists in Cuba.

In May, Cubaaccused Michael Parmly, head of the U.S. Interests Section there, offerrying money from a private exile group to dissidents on the island.The State Department responded by saying that Washington provideshumanitarian assistance to the families of political prisoners and doesnot stand in the way of private groups providing the same support.

Cuba and the United States have no formal diplomatic ties, but have interests sections in each other's capitals.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and.