Cuba: New US terrorism,biological

[jcl...@peg.pegasus.oz.au]

from: jcl...@peg.apc.org
subject: Cuba -US terrorist, biological weapons
US ASSASSINATION Plans (Granma writer Nidia Diaz 16 Nov 97)
"Oct28 -US Customs and Coast Guard in Puerto Rico fortuitously
detained 4 counter-revolutionaries of Cuban origin. They were
discovered using a vessel owned by director of CubanAmerican National
Foundation, headed by annexationist Mafioso Jorge Mas Canosa, to
transport high-caliber precision weapons to be used against the Cuban
President during the 7th Ibero-American Summit on the island of
Margarita, Venezuela.
The owner of the boat "The Esperanza", transpired to be Juan
Antonio Llama, age 66, a member of the board of directors of CANF and
was a member of the so-called Brigade 2506 that was defeated at the
Bay of Pigs in 1961.As an 'intelligence person' he did not go ashore
Statements from other CANF directors confirmed that Llama had rep-
resented this counter-revolutionary group in Spain, as one of the
founders of of the Madrid Hispanic-Cuban Foundation established at
the end of 1996 under the auspices of its Florida counterpart.

Information regarding the arrest offered by the Miami, El Nuevo
Herald, named the four arrested, three of which were US citizens and
one is awaiting US political asylum. According to the dispatch, all 4
were detained near the coast of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, on board the
46' La Esperanza, with reg'n number FL390EM, property of Nautical
Sports Inc, of which Llama is director, president, sec'y, treasurer.
Due to engine trouble it was sighted by US Coastguard and taken to
Puerto Rico, where Customs examined unlawful photocopied ownership
records then discovered a false bottom, under which two powerful .50
caliber Barret semi-automatic assault rifles and 6 boxes of ammunit-
ion were concealed. An ex-US GI informed that this weapon-type is
used to target armored cars, focusing on highly specific targets and
characterized by its precision.
According to the sworn statement of a special Customs agent, a
copy of which was obtained by the Miami Daily, Angel M. Alfonso, the
ship's captain, admitted the planned attack on Fidel Castro when
special Customs Agent Marco Rocco began to inform him of his consti-
tutional rights on his detention. Bail was eventually refused at the
request of the Puerto-Rican gov't in order to give the public prose-
cution time to present its reasons for withholding bail.

News agencies in San Juan PR noted that the US FBI spokesperson
Sara Lema confirmed that the FBI had taken over the investigation of
the case together with Customs. (JC. That seems to be the right idea
considering that the US considers itself to be the owner of Puerto
Rico. Secondly that the Miami Mafia is known to be an arm of the US
Administration and thus able to protect US interests against Cuba.)

The boat had already broken down twice during the adventure. It
left Coral Gables Sunday Oct 26, and after failure of one engine was
taken to the coast of Great Inagua, Bahamas for repairs. Mechanical
problems persisted causing it to anchor for repairs, this time in
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Later bad weather damaged the prow
hatch. That is when the Coast Guard fortuitously sighted and aided
it.
The knowledge and disclosure of this failed terrorist action led
the Venezuelan gov't to redouble its marine and air security around
the island of Margarita, during the Ibero-American Summit of heads of
state and government. "
JC. Thus Fidel Castro, who travels with little security, compared
with other world leaders, has probably escaped for the 25th time? JC
**************************
The UN Convention Jon BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS to continue investigation
of US aggression against Cuba, on the following basis -

% States party to the Convention must file observations by Sept 27
% The Board will report results by December 31.

"GENEVA.- Cuba scored another diplomatic victory by preventing the
United States from blocking the continuation of investigations into
its government's charges concerning U.S. biological warfare.
In an interview with Prensa Latina, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister
Mara de los gngeles Florez stated that the serious evidence
presented to the consultative meeting of the International Convention
on Biological Weapons kept the U.S. delegation from closing the
matter.
The White House hoped that the discussion of the island's accusations
related to the United States' introduction in Cuban territory of
Thrips palmi, which attacks various crops, would end without a
detailed examination of the charges, Florez added.

The meeting resolved thatthe states which are party to the conven-
tion if they wish to do so, must file their observations on this
issue no later than Sept 27 with the presidency (United Kingdom).
The forum also ruled that the presidency and the vice presidencies
(Russia, Canada, Havana and Washington), must attend, with the goal
of clarifying suspicions in this regard.
It also decided that the presidency of the Convention's Assembly
should present a written report by December 31 of this year on the
results of these consultations.

According to the Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister, the document
approved in Geneva allows for follow-up on Cuba's charges.
She added that it also offers Cuba the possibility of presenting more
information and refuting the arguments utilized by Washington in
rejection of Havana's accusations concerning the introduction of the
Thrips palmi blight on the island.
In presenting the charges, Florez insisted on the clear evidence
regarding this action on the part of the United States. She went on
to say that this is not the first time that Havana has voiced
concerns about the United States' fulfillment of the Convention on
Biological Weapons, and noted that the antecedents are well known.

The Convention on Biological Weapons makes its decision by consensus
and voting is not obligatory. One of its weaknesses, in the opinion
of observers, is that it lacks a verification mechanism; this point
has been under negotiation for many years in Geneva but no concrete
agreement has yet been reached." Via Cuban Granma Inter'l News. JC