Guest Commentary By Agustin Blazquez with the collaboration
of Jaums Sutton. Oct 9, 2001. The
Washington Dispatch.
With all the coverage lately in the U.S. media about bacteriological
warfare, why have Americans been kept ignorant about Castro's factories of
bacteriological and chemical weapons in Cuba? Undoubtedly, there is a deliberate
effort by the U.S. media not to report negative information about Cuba.
Among the U.S. media there are many Castro sympathizers. And others are
willing to cooperate in order to keep their access to Cuba, their bureaus and
star reporters getting personal interviews with Castro. Morally this is
dishonest because they are compromising the freedom of information. This selfish
and arrogant attitude of the U.S. media has rendered a disservice to the
American people by giving them a false sense of harmlessness about Castro's Cuba
for decades.
It is extremely frustrating to raise awareness of a problem when people are
so misinformed. Invariably the people's reaction is rejection or scorn when
confronted with information that contradicts those acquired beliefs, especially
if they are maliciously fed. For example, Sue Anne Pressley's September 25,
2001, outrageous
article
in The Washington Post equating Cuban Americans to terrorists like bin
Laden. But you will see below that the result of this misinformation has placed
the American people in danger.
There are many academic studies, articles and books in public records
exposing Castro's long term involvement with bacteriological and chemical
weapons. The information has been presented in public forums. The U.S. media has
been invited but they systematically choose to be absent. Perhaps so that by
being absent they can claim, "but I didn't know." Also revealing this
information will clash with the heavily orchestrated campaign to present Castro
as non-threatening in order to normalize relations with Cuba. This full
collaboration of the U.S. media with the Castro regime is reprehensible.
I finally felt somewhat literate about Castro and bacteriological warfare
after attending a discussion on Capitol Hill on October 28, 1997. As usual, the
U.S. media did not show up. I was shocked by the October 1997 paper titled
Castro: A Threat to the
Security of the United States by Dr. Manuel Cereijo, a professor at Florida
International University who has written over 500 articles published in national
and international journals.
The paper details Cuba's work in the fields of bacteriological and chemical
warfare "since the mid 80's." And the "several centers and
institutes that do research and development," and that "there are
special groups, working on projects to develop chemical, biological and
bacteriological warfare."
It listed the names of these centers and institutes: "the Biotechnology
Center, the Immunology Center, the Genetic Engineering Center, the Tropical
Medicine Institute, the Findlay Institute, the Biocen, the Academy of Sciences,
the Oceanographic Institute, the Biological Preparations Center, the Center for
the Breeding of Laboratory Animals, the National Center for Animal and Plant
Health, the Neuroscience Center and La Fabriquita or Little Factory. These
centers are spread around Havana." Dr. Cereijo's paper specifies their
addresses and says, "Many Cuban engineers and scientists have been trained
by former East Germany, the Soviet Union, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam and
China."
Over the years, Castro's Cuba has developed very ingenious ways to deliver
their deadly materials to the U.S. As Dr. Cereijo says, "To conduct a
bacteriological attack, a country or a terrorist group does not need to have any
sophisticated means of delivery, such as a missile. A container, the size of a 5
pound of sugar bag, can bring bacteriological material capable of causing over
50,000 casualties in an urban area depending on the flow of air and atmospheric
conditions."
In my previous article
Castro and
International Terrorism, I mentioned the evidence pointing to Castro's
involvement with the introduction of West Nile virus into the U.S. via migratory
birds. In addition to people affected and some deaths caused by the virus in the
U.S., it is affecting endangered species.
An AP dispatch in The Washington Times dated September 18, 2001, on page A7,
says, "Many zoos across the country have agreed to begin tracking the West
Nile virus, which is blamed for the deaths of at least three birds at the
Philadelphia Zoo in the past month." Among the dead birds was "a rare
Humboldt penguin." The same virus "is suspected in the death of a
second Humboldt penguin."
According the AP dispatch, "The only other zoo believed to have lost
birds to West Nile is the Bronx Zoo in New York, where more than 20 birds died
from the virus when it was first detected in 1999." NewsMax reported on
September 26, 2001 that "Wisconsin health officials Wednesday said tests
have confirmed the presence of the West Nile virus in seven more dead crows
found in Milwaukee County." Would it take the death of Sesame Street's Big
Bird for the U.S. media to begin showing an interest in Castro's bacteriological
program?
Scientifically cooperating with Castro's Cuba in the study of migratory
birds - birds apparently are being used as carriers of lethal virus against the
U.S. - were the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Ornithology of the
American Museum of Natural History in New York and The Audubon Society, among
others enumerated in my previous article. So much for scientific exchanges with
the enemy.
Also listed in Dr. Cereijo's paper, are other ingenious ways researched in
Cuba to deliver deadly biological agents including the developing "from
marine technology, with the assistance of Japan, which never knew what the final
product was, a paralyzing toxin, which is now ready to use.
"In 1992, the Institute of Oceanographic Studies, conducted an
experiment with the Academy of Sciences [both politically controlled by Castro
as all organizations in Cuba are], to find which places on the Cuban coast were
the best to let bottles and containers reach the United States coast line
fastest and most effectively."
The regime's official motivation (for public and international consumption)
was "a study of marine streams." The scheme was, as Dr. Cereijo's
reveals, "to put notes inside the bottles, asking for replies. They found
where in Cuba was best to release containers with bacteriological material.
The north coast of Havana province was found to be the best, as well as the
region around the town of Sagua La Grande. This has been documented by several
finders of bottles as well as by engineers from Cuba who worked on the project."
The U.S. media has the duty and responsibility to inform the American people
of these matters. The people in the southern and southeastern coastal areas of
the U.S. should be on notice not to pick up or open any floating objects.
Children are very curious, so parents should instruct their children of the
danger of picking up and opening what they find at the beach. Information and
precaution is the only way to prevent a major catastrophe caused by
bacteriological material sent that way.
These and more facts in Dr. Cereijo's paper alarmed me and made me more
inquisitive about what was going on and I had the opportunity to read more on
the subject.
In 1997, a confidential report was smuggled from Cuba. A July 20, 1998,
Insight Magazine article appeared in The Washington Times titled
Fidel Castro's
Deadly Secret - Five BioChem Warfare Labs by Martin Arostegui. "The
credibility of the smuggled documents is enhanced by a recent classified
Pentagon analysis", said Arostegui.
Among other shocking information I learned from this confidential report was
that the bacteriological and chemical warfare capabilities of Castro are now
known by the U.S. government. And that there are about 12 centers producing
bacteriological agents strategically located around Havana.
The newest and most notorious, "La Fabriquita", or Little Factory,
was built by the Military Enterprise of Strategic Works (EMPI). It has a
10,000-RPM centrifuge and other laboratory equipment bought through COMICONDOR,
an Italian company in Milan that also supplies technology to Libya for Muammar
Qaddafi's biological-weapons experiments. This factory in Havana was "inaugurated
in 1993 on Armed Forces Day on December 2, 1993," and has been in operation
for eight years.
In order to enter "La Fabriquita" you need "top-secret
credentials you must pass through a station of the Cuban Armed Forces
(FAR), odd for a place supposedly producing cattle feed, which is its disguise.
It is called 'Animal-Feed Plant.' This does not correspond to details known to
U.S. authorities."
The report gives a lot of specific information about "La Fabriquita,"
which is located just across the street from "Cuba's premier medical center
the Luis Diaz Soto General Hospital, formerly known as the Naval
Hospital. That is where Fidel and Raul Castro are believed to have their regular
health exams and emergency care." At that hospital's School of Medicine,
the report says "are three pools of cadavers that may be used for
additional tests, using human tissue."
Oddly, that "Animal-Feed Plant" located in Havana "is well
protected by rapid action defense units. The hospital area is inside the FAR's
north coastal fringe defense zone."
In relation to its Italian 10,000-RPM centrifuge equipment, Dr. Cereijo
says, "These are of a high capacity and they are shielded against lethal
agents. Also Cuba is involved in the so-called 'binary weapons' where two
chemicals are used (harmless, otherwise) to form a toxic agent when a weapon is
exploded. They can be disguised as common agricultural chemicals, which make
them more difficult to detect. This new weapon is part of the ultra-lethal
Novichok class.
"They have also the capability to develop A-232, made from agricultural
and industrial chemicals that are not lethal until mixed. These new agents are
as toxic as VX, a persistent nerve agent, and as resistant to treatment as
Soman. Also, more difficult to detect and easier to manufacture than VX. In
fact, A-232, or A-234, can be made using common industrial solvent and an
organic phosphate compound, disguised as a common pesticide."
Pastors for Peace is a supposedly "religious" and "humanitarian"
New York-based organization. But records and sources say that they are
apparently a fanatical and prone-to-violence pro-Castro front organization
advancing Castro's agenda and misinformation. They are an important part of his
support network inside the U.S. conducting fundraising to advance their radical
agenda.
Now we find that last July, 13, 2001, the
Los
Angeles Times reported that the pastors, after returning from Cuba, were
trying to cross the border with Mexico smuggling 30 pounds of "rat poison"
(Biorat) made in Cuba.
(Aid
group that wants to import Cuba rat poison leaves for U.S.)
The head of Pastors for Peace is Rev. Lucius Walker, a close friend of Fidel
Castro who is constantly traveling to Cuba. His group specializes in creating
border-crossing incidents with the U.S. border authorities. On October 23, 1996,
he delivered a pro-Castro speech for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of
the Communist Party USA.
According to the Los Angeles Times' report, "he [Rev. Walker] openly
challenged U.S. officials to block the shipment of Biorat, asserting that the
move would 'show the true colors' of President Bush's Cuba policy."
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta,
"Biorat is not admissible into the United States," because "it
poses a public health risk worldwide." The report cites "A 1996
article in the British medical journal Lancet asserting that the product could
easily cause food-borne disease in people."
Through his agents like Pastors for Peace and other subterfuges, Castro
continues to export toxins into the U.S. that can cause harm to the American
people while proclaiming friendship for them.
Dr. Cereijo says, "The Cubans also have carried out studies on the
propagation of microorganisms by means of fumigation aircraft or micro-jets."
On September 24 and 25, 2001, it was reported on U.S. television news that
members of the suspected ring of terrorists that executed the September 11
attack against the American people, were inquiring about crop-dusting airplanes
in Florida.
"The same system could become the basis for the application of
bacteriological weapons," pointed out Dr. Cereijo's 1999-updated version of
his paper. "'La Fabriquita' could be engaged in producing an anthrax toxin
like the one reported being developed by the Russians, according to the defense
publication Jane's. Russia's new variant of the anthrax toxin is totally
resistant to antibiotics and could cause a catastrophe."
"The United States, as recognized by government officials, is not
prepared for a biochemical attack, or germ warfare. Intelligence sources in the
United States do not question if there will be an attack, but when will it be.
Saddam Hussein and Castro are friendly allies. Castro has sent medical teams and
scientists to Iraq. These activities are very suspicious."
The 1998 Washington Times' Insight Magazine article by Martin Arostegui,
questioned the inaction by the U.S. government, "Why does the President
ignore this? Clinton just wants to avoid another confrontation; said Ernesto
Betancourt, former director of Radio Marti, a U.S. government broadcasting
service. Betancourt believes that the administration is terrified of provoking a
confrontation, which could lead to another wave of Cuban refugees. While
maintaining the economic embargo to placate Cuban-American voters, Clinton
desperately avoids making waves with Castro, Betancourt added." Apparently,
that way of thinking is continuing to this day.
The blunder of John F. Kennedy by betraying the April 1961 invasion of Bay
of Pigs to get rid of Castro, brought on the October 1962 Missile Crisis that
put the world at the brink of nuclear war. And this situation led to the
Kennedy-Khrushchev deal for which the U.S. became Castro's protector by agreeing
to prevent any foreign invasion of Cuba.
However, Castro and the former Soviet Union violated their part of the
Kennedy-Khrushchev deal by exporting revolutions to Latin America and Africa.
And Castro not only destroyed the once prosperous and advanced Cuba, bringing
misery to his people, but also extended his hands supporting terrorism
throughout the American continent and abroad.
To date Castro continues training, arming and offering sanctuary to
international terrorists and placing his agents and spies in the U.S.
note the September 21, 2001, detention of the spy Ana Belen Montes in the
Defense Intelligence Agency.
The July 28, 1997 Forbes Magazine reported that Castro has "$1.4
billions." In a 1997 report titled The Comandante's Reserves compiled from
information given by high-ranking government defectors, especially Jesus M.
Fernandez, some of his money has been traced to 1959. A large part of it was
stolen from the Cuban people and more from his profits from drug trafficking.
Most of the money resides in Swiss bank accounts from which it is used to pay
for international subversion, the purchasing of arms, his terrorist activities,
agents and spies. History one day will reveal how nefarious Castro has been in
our hemisphere.
Castro obviously threatening the U.S. - said on January 28, 1997, "This
lamb cannot ever be devoured, not with planes, nor with smart bombs, because
this lamb has more intelligence than you and in its blood there is and always
will be poison for you!" Don't miss the key word "poison."
According to Declan McCullagh's February 9, 2001 article
Feds Say
Fidel Is Hacker Threat, "These must be jittery times for anyone in the
military who uses the Internet. Not only do they have to guard against Love Bug
worms and security holes in Microsoft Outlook - now they've got to worry about
Fidel Castro hacking into their computers.
"Admiral Tom Wilson, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, says the
74-year-old communist dictator may be preparing a cyberattack against the United
States. Wilson told the Senate Intelligence Committee during a public hearing
Wednesday that Castro's armed forces could initiate an 'information warfare or
computer network attack' that could 'disrupt our military.' The panel later went
into closed session to discuss classified material."
This article further supports Dr. Cereijo's 1997 paper in relation to
Castro's regime being actively involved in terrorism directed at U.S. computer
systems. Castro's unpublicized-by-the-media war against the U.S. is on all
fronts. Ignorance will make us more vulnerable.
Last May 9, 2001,
Castro proclaimed in Iran, "Today, there is a king in the world a thousand
times stronger than the shah you overthrew, and that is the imperialist king
living next to my homeland. However, this imperialist king will finally fall,
just as your king was overthrown."
According to Agence France Presse, Castro affirmed in Iran on May 10, that "Iran
and Cuba, in cooperation with each other, can bring America to its knees. The
U.S. regime is very weak, and we are witnessing this weakness from close up."
(Cuba and Iran to fight jointly the United States / www.iran-press)
An in his May 16 visit with Moammar Qaddafi, Castro said, "Cuban and
Libyan revolutions have similar objectives."
On September 22, 2001, Castro in Havana accused the U.S. of being
"a world
military dictatorship" attacking President Bush's resolve of defending
the U.S. against terrorism in spite of the overwhelming support of the American
people and the international community.
Apparently, foreseeing the possibility of his ties to terrorism, his "secret"
bacteriological and cybernetic war against the U.S. being finally exposed, he
sent a warning to the U.S. in case the U.S. attacks Cuba in pursuit of
terrorists. Castro proclaimed that "the Cuban people will fight until the
last drop of blood if they are attacked by the U.S."
New Cuban Press dispatch by Havana Press' independent journalist Jorge
Olivera, reported on September 19 of the "tension in Havana" and the
Cuban "military have been placed in a state of alert."
Now, after years of appeasement, the nonsense about engagement,
people-to-people cultural, scientific and sport exchanges, the pervasive
campaign to lift the U.S. embargo and tourist visits to Cuba, we clearly see
that Castro has used this time to develop weapons of mass destruction in our
back yard to be used against us. All while the U.S. media keeps misinforming us.
The blackmail potential that this represents renders the U.S. and its people
in grave danger and in an almost impotent situation. The U.S. must not lower its
guard in relation to Cuba. We must not put all of our eggs in one basket. It
could be fatal.
Agustin Blazquez is the producer and director of the documentaries, "COVERING
CUBA, COVERING CUBA 2: The Next Generation" and the upcoming "COVERING
CUBA 3: Elian."
© Copyright 2001, The Washington Dispatch |