"It's not Cuba that's isolated, it's the US that's isolated, the rest of the world is against Helms Burton", says European Union Washington Representative, Ambassador Hugo Paeman. Increasingly, the European Union regards America's Helms Burton Act as a flagrant breach of international law, a threat to the sovereignty of all countries and their right to trade with whomever they please.

European and other countries are angered by the provision under American law for non-American citizens to sue foreign companies doing business with Cuba. Any deals involving assets confiscated in the 1958 revolution qualify, such as Cuba's banks and telephone system. Implemented following the Cuban downing of two American light aircraft a year ago, the HB Act has seen leading Europeans banned from US soil because of their Cuban interests.

Sunny Cuba, tourist paradise, is a Cuba feeling the squeeze more than ever from the US. As Bikini clad tourists top up their tans on Cuba's beaches their hard currency is more crucial to its survival than ever before. With no Soviet Union to prop it up Cuba has to change or be crushed by America's tough stance. In a Havana market, surplus goods change hands for, ironically, American dollars. Market sellers are proud to set their own prices and reap the profits. Here, Cubans are playing the capitalist game. They are luring in foreign investment and changing the way they do business in a determined bid to stay out of America's clutches for good. A Lebanese investor bemoans the strict labour laws but admits he doesn't care about politics so long as he can do business. Another investor, a German hotel manager, tells of booming tourism and his plans to expand.

We profile a Cuban people whose outrage at America's big brother tactics has become a rallying cry, consolidating Castro's support instead of weakening it. Fresh and piping hot from the ovens, the government quota of free daily bread is quickly snapped up by Cubans queuing in a Havana shop. Dr Rosa Simeon speaks proudly of a childhood vaccination programme; successful despite the American embargo. Castro's policy of free food, medical care and education is still an enduring legacy of the revolution.

A powerful lobby of a million Cuban exiles, living in America, refuses to let the issue of Cuba's defiance die away. At a luxurious Florida property, Ramon Grande speaks passionately of his homeland Cuba. Although born in Miami, his forefathers were aristocratic tobacco growers, makers of the famous Cuban cigars, before the revolution swept away their power.

Back in Washington Helms/Burton supporters remain unlikely to compromise. "This bill only affects companies that are trafficking in stolen American property" says Helms' press spokesman Marc Thiessen. His message to Cubans is even more blunt."It's the law ... they're going to have to get used to it!". An American lawyer confirms that the Helms Burton Act has opened the way for thousands of compensation claims against the Cuban government. There's still no sign of a thaw in the US/Cuban cold war. Recently, US attempts to isolate Cuba into submission have been flaunted by various public figures; including the Pope and Canada's foreign minister. The Cubans themselves rejected an American offer of billions of dollars of aid only last month. The price was high - get rid of Castro, lose their autonomy and dump communism.

While America's attitude to Cuba becomes more unpopular internationally and Cuba itself remains defiant the stalemate continues. Castro clings defiantly to power but at 75 his influence can't last for ever. The EU favours a soft diplomatic approach to bring Cuba into line while the US is determined that economics will finally force Castro out. No one wants a return to war, least of all Cubans themselves. They hope for a solution that will be neither purely communist nor capitalist but perhaps uniquely Cuban. Non theatrical rights unavailable in the USA