Dissident Jorge Olivera has wanted to leave communist-run Cuba for years.

The independent journalist managed to get a visa to the United States in 2002, and was preparing to head north when he was picked up in a government crackdown of 75 political activists in March 2003.

After serving 21 months, Olivera was released from prison for colon problems in December. U.S. visa and political refugee papers in hand, he has been ready to leave since, but still finds himself in Havana after months waiting for an exit permit from the Cuban government.

"It's like I'm still jailed," Olivera told journalists Monday. "Here I am still, deprived of my rights."

Olivera's wife and two sons are also ready to leave the island, and started the necessary paperwork last fall to get permission from the Cuban government.

But Olivera said they couldn't get the permission all Cuban citizens need from their government to leave their homeland because he was still imprisoned.

So after his release, Olivera met personally with immigration officials. He said they told him on January 6 the exit permits would be ready in one month, or a maximum of 45 days. The maximum period passed more than seven weeks ago.

The 43-year-old said he has since met several times with immigration officials, who told him his papers are still being processed.

"I don't see a single reason that justifies this type of delay," he said. "I see this as an additional punishment, and it's affecting my health."

Olivera, who said he suffers severe stomach pains due to colon problems, says he suspects the government is stalling because he is a dissident.

But a Cuban official, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said it is not unusual for immigration procedures to take longer than expected. Because Olivera's request for an exit permit has not been flatly denied, the case should eventually be resolved, the official said.  Actually, Cuba's government has often encouraged dissidents to leave the country, especially if they stay away for good.

Olivera was among 14 dissidents of the original 75 released on medical parole last year. The opponents were sentenced to long prison terms in April 2003 on charges of working with the U.S. government to undermine Cuban President Fidel Castro's government - something they and Washington deny.

Cuba recently allowed Raul Rivero, a well-known poet and journalist who was also jailed in the 2003 crackdown, to travel to Spain, where he arrived April 1 with his wife, daughter and mother.  Several other dissidents released on medical parole are also trying to leave, Olivera said.

While Olivera waits, he worries about being arrested before his papers come through. "I don't want the same thing to happen to me again, where I pay (for dissident activities) by going to prison," said Olivera, who was serving an 18-year prison sentence when he was paroled.

A former television producer with Cuba's state-run media, Olivera later spent a dozen years working as an independent journalist. And after his spell behind bars, he's ready to go.

"I've given everything I can here," Olivera said.

* For The Associated Press - Net for Cuba/ April 11, 2005
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