WASHINGTON, 25 (AP) - President Clinton on Friday renewed a declaration of a national emergency imposed against Cuba four years ago after it shot down two small, unarmed civilian planes.

Clinton said Cuba ``has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the future use of reckless and excessive force against U.S. vessels or aircraft'' involved in memorial activities for those aboard the downed planes or other peaceful protests.

On Feb. 24, 1996, the two small planes took off for Cuba from Miami and were shot down by MiG jet fighters north of Havana, killing four Cuban-Americans on board. An angry Congress retaliated days later by tightening sanctions against Cuba.

Cuba insisted the planes had penetrated Cuban airspace, but the United States disagreed. An international inquiry concluded that the planes were shot down in international airspace.

AP-NY-02-25-00 1948EST

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press.

[ BACK TO THE NEWS ]

NOTICIAS
...Prensa Independiente
...Prensa Internacional
...Prensa Gubernamental

OTHER LANGUAGES
...Spanish
...German
...French

INDEPENDIENTES
...Cooperativas Agrícolas
...Movimiento Sindical
...Bibliotecas
...MCL
...Ayuno

DEL LECTOR
...Letters
...Cartas
...Debate
...Opinión

BUSQUEDAS
...News Archive
...News Search
...Documents
...Links

CULTURA
...Painters
...Photos of Cuba
...Cigar Labels

CUBANET
...Semanario
...About Us
...Informe 1998
...E-Mail

CubaNet News, Inc.
145 Madeira Ave,
Suite 207
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 774-1887