By David Fox

BRUSSELS, Sept 3 (Reuter) - Washington's special envoy appointed to win backing for America's anti-Cuba laws was told on Tuesday that the Helms-Burton Act was hindering rather than helping efforts to encourage democracy. After talks between European Union Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan and Stuart Eizenstat -- the envoy appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton -- a spokesman said the Commission's opposition remained firm. "We share a desire to see democracy in Cuba but the Helms-Burton Act -- objectional in principle -- does not help cooperation," the spokesman said. The spokesman said Brittan "reiterated to Mr Eizenstat his determination to defend EU interests and stressed that Helms-Burton was not helping cooperation". Eizenstat, speaking as he left the meeting, said Brittan had "emphasised his strong opposition" to the act, an amalgamation of decades of anti-Cuba legislation signed into law by Clinton in July. He said, however, that Brittan had promised to "reflect" on U.S. proposals to coordinate and

accelerate international efforts to isolate Havana. The EU, along with Canada and Mexico, have led international opposition to the act, part of which affects certain non-U.S. citizens or individuals doing business with Cuba. Eizenstat, who has already visited Canada and Mexico on his mission, is due on Wednesday to meet EuropeanCommissioners Manuel Marin and Emma Bonino -- responsible for Latin American affairs and the EU's humanitarian affairs office respectively. During this meeting he is expected to elaborate on U.S. proposals to coordinate efforts to ensure non-governmental aid to Cuba does not help authorities there. The commission spokesman said Eizenstat had not swayed Brittan's opposition to the act. "There has been not an inch of change ... and no sign of change from them," he said. Among other things, the act allows American citizens to sue in U.S. courts foreign companies that have benefitted from investments made in property confiscated by Havana since the Cuban revolution of 1959. Although the

practical implications of this part have been suspended until next year, the EU -- along with Canada and Mexico -- are concerned that liability is accruing. The EU has already outlined what form this response is likely to take. In July, foreign ministers gave the Commission a mandate to pursue four measures they believed would best counter the laws -- named after its U.S. congressional sponsors Dan Burton and Jesse Helms. These were to forbid EU individuals or companies to comply with any U.S. court action; allow them to counter-sue to recover any damages awarded; prohibit individuals from litigant U.S. companies from travelling to the EU; and compile a "watch list" of American companies or individuals involved in any litigation. The EU has also to decide whether to escalate a dispute on the matter lodged with the World Trade Organisation.