The government of George W. Bush violates the rights of the wives of two of the Cuban Five, imprisoned in the US, by refusing to allow them to visit their husbands, said Graciela Ramirez, president of the International Committee to Free the Cuban Five.

Ramirez said in Havana that the women have had their visa applications denied by the US authorities on seven occasions, worsening the punishment of their husbands whom she said were sentenced for having fought terrorism.

Adriana Perez and Olga Salanueva are the wives of Gerardo Hernandez and Rene Gonzalez, who have been in US prisons for nearly nine years, along with their compatriots Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez.

Hernandez was sentenced to double life imprisonment and 15 years in prison, while Gonzalez has a 15-year sentence. However, neither has been able to see
their wives since they were arrested in September 1998.

Attorney Roberto Gonzalez, member of the Cuban Five defense team, said in the case of his brother Rene, the prohibition on receiving visits from his wife Olga stems from his refusal to sign a document admitting his guilt.

Gonzalez noted that on several occasions, including a month before their trial, Rene was implored to sign such an agreement, which he said clearly violates a prisoner's right to family visitation.

According to the attorney, on August 20, the 11th Circuit Court of Atlanta will hold a hearing on eight pending matters in the Cuban Five's appeal process, which Gonzalez noted has been very long.