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Posted on Thu, Jul. 04, 2002 in The Miami Herald.
Posted on Fri, Jul. 05, 2002 in
The Miami Herald.
Cuban Coast Guard intercepts speed boat from Florida
HAVANA, July 5 - (AFP) -- The Cuban Coast Guard intercepted a speed boat
from Florida and arrested one of two people allegedly trying to pick up a group
of more than a dozen attempting to leave the country illegally, according to an
official report Friday.
According to a statement published in the official Cuban press, the boat was
intercepted overnight Wednesday to Thursday in the area of Punto Higuereta, on
the Communist island's northern coast.
The two occupants escaped immediate capture by jumping into the water.
One of the men, Cesar Rufino Diaz, who lived in New Jersey after illegally
leaving Cuba two years ago, was captured a few hours later and was "immediately
brought before the court.''
His companion has not been found.
A group of 15 people, including two children, were found in the Punta
Higuereta area, waiting ''to illegally leave the country on July 4,'' the
statement said.
The statement added that ''provisions and flotation devices for several
people'' were found on the boat, indicating that it was "an operation to
traffic in people.''
On Wednesday, the Cuban government denied rumors of a massive exodus to the
United States and sent a stern warning to anti-Castro activists in Florida not
to penetrate Cuban waters.
Cuban event celebrates Americans' freedom
By Anita Snow. Associated Press
HAVANA - Cuba's communist officials paid homage to the American people
Thursday evening with an unprecedented July Fourth observance aimed at showing
that they respect Americans and their traditions even if they don't like their
government.
The unusual cultural event in Havana's Karl Marx theater was to feature
music and poetry in honor of the ''noble'' American people on the anniversary of
their independence, the Communist party daily Granma said Thursday. No other
details were provided.
''The cultural, spiritual, and moral legacy of the American people is also
the patrimony of Cuba and of the Cuban people,'' Granma said. According to some
news reports, President Fidel Castro was expected to attend the event, which
started about 9 p.m.
At the same time, the government announced that its evening television
program Thursday evening was dedicated to 'the historic significance of the
United States' Independence Day.''
CUBAN WELCOME
Castro himself often points out that his government's problems with the
administration of President Bush have nothing to do with its feelings toward the
American people. In the past, he has said that Americans are more welcome in
communist Cuba than in any other country.
The American government, though, is another matter.
Tensions between the two countries have been especially high since Bush
promised on May 20 that he would not ease American restrictions against Cuba
until Castro's government holds multiparty elections and undertakes other
reforms.
Castro last week warned that the American government would be to blame if
the U.S. mission here was closed or if U.S.-Cuba migration agreements were
annulled because of American diplomats' actions here that "violate our
sovereignty.''
Authorities here have been infuriated by the U.S. Interests Section's
increased advocacy work on the island this year, reaching out to Cuban
dissidents and distributing hundreds of small shortwave radios that can be used
to tune in the American government's anti-Castro Radio Marti broadcasts.
Interests Section chief Vicky Huddleston -- who was hosting her own Fourth
of July party on the island Thursday -- has described Cuba's dual tactic of
reaching out to Americans while lashing out at their government as a ''charm
offensive'' aimed at gaining support in the United States for efforts to ease or
eliminate restrictions on U.S. trade with and travel to the communist island.
HOST TO CARTER
Among Havana's most surprising gestures was the announcement earlier this
year it would not oppose the U.S. military's decision to house prisoners from
the war on Afghanistan at the U.S. naval base in Guantánamo, Cuba.
Also this year, Castro played host to former American President Jimmy Carter
and allowed him to make a live, uncensored speech to the Cuban people.
While authorities here were pleased with Carter's call for an end to U.S.
restrictions, many were uncomfortable by calls for an opening in Cuba's economic
and political systems.
On Thursday, the lead organizer of a Cuban petition campaign urging
democratic reform expressed thanks for support from American groups. ''We know
that these expressions represent the feelings of the American people,'' Oswaldo
Paya said.
Organizers of the Varela Project delivered 11,000 signatures to the National
Assembly on May 10 seeking a referendum on individual liberties such as free
speech and assembly, the right to own a business, electoral changes and an
amnesty for political prisoners.
Carter praised the Varela Project during his speech to the Cuban people, but
the legislature never responded to the petition. | 
