The European Parliament voted Thursday to condemn Cuba by a crushing margin over a hunger striker's death, and Spain's ruling Socialists later hinted they might trim back their bid to improve European ties with Havana.

The 509-30 vote drew an angry retort from Havana, saying it was the result of a ``dirty debate'' and ``profound cynicism'' by rich nations that opt for ``consumerism'' while Cuba helps poor nations like Haiti.

``A condemnation so discriminatory and selective can be explained only by the failure of a policy incapable of bringing a heroic people to its knees,'' declared Cuba's legislature, the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Cuban dissident Guillermo Fariñas was rushed to a hospital Thursday, his 16th day of refusing food and liquids to demand the release of political prisoners. Fariñas fainted around 2 p.m. while friends and journalists were visiting him, and was taken by private car to the Arnaldo Milian Castro hospital in his hometown of Santa Clara, said his wife, Clara Pérez.

At their meeting in Strasbourg, France, European lawmakers issued a toughly worded text reflecting their anger over the recent death of political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo after an 83-day hunger strike.

The resolution ``energetically condemns the avoidable and cruel death'' of Zapata, calls for the ``immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners'' and says that Cuban dissidents are jailed ``for their ideals and peaceful political activity.''

It also urges EU agencies and officials to begin a ``structured dialogue'' with Cuban civil society and ``provide unconditional support, and encourage without reservations, the start of a peaceful process of political transition toward multi-party democracy.''

Havana human rights advocate Elizardo Sánchez praised the resolution, saying that ``never before had there been such a strong declaration on Cuba by the European democracies. ''

Cuba insists it holds no political prisoners, only ``mercenaries'' paid by the U.S. and other governments to try to subvert its communist system.