Cuba confirms arrival of 30 Haitians, but doesn't expect exodus

Cuba confirms arrival of 30 Haitians, but doesn't expect exodus
By Associated Press
3/9/2004 3:10:00 PM



HAVANA (AP) -- At least 30 Haitians fleeing violence in their homeland have sought refuge in Cuba, authorities said, adding that they don't expect a mass exodus from the nearby country.

"I can confirm the presence of 30 Haitian immigrants in Maisi," a town on Cuba's east coast, the Foreign Ministry said late Monday in response to queries from The Associated Press.

The spokesman's office offered no specifics on when and how the Haitians arrived.

Maisi is about 45 miles from Haiti's shore. For decades, it has been a destination point for small groups of Haitians escaping political violence at home.
(snip/...)

http://www.tulsaworld.com/BreakingNewsStory.asp?ID=040309_Br_brcubah

Posted on Tue, Mar. 09, 2004

Cuban opposition members launch anti-death penalty campaign

ANDREA RODRIGUEZ

Associated Press


HAVANA - Opposition groups on Tuesday launched an anti-death penalty campaign in Cuba, where three men were sent to the firing squad last year for trying to hijack a ferry to the United States.

"Historically in Cuba there has been strong opposition to capital punishment," opposition member Manuel Cuesta Morua told a news conference.

Cuesta Morua's organization, the Moderate Opposition's Reflection Group, is among several backing the national campaign against capital punishment.

When Cuba's communist leadership upheld a court ruling that sent the three would-be hijackers to the firing squad last April, capital punishment had not been applied on the island for three years. The defendants were accused of using weapons to threaten some of the dozens of passengers aboard even though no one was harmed.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8144848.htm

Contrary to the attempts by some to paint me as one who toe's the current Cuban government's line inch for inch, the death penalty in Cuba (and elsewhere) is policy that I am opposed to.

Its good to see a report in the US that active multi party politics is alive and well in Cuba. The Moderate Opposition's Reflection Group of Cuba candidates will get support for this platform at the next bi annual accountability elections.



-----------------


Don't ask questions!