DATE=4/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229139
TITLE=COHEN/CUBA  (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENATGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN DENIES A PUBLISHED 
ACCOUNT HE IS TRYING TO CHANGE A REPORT ON CUBA FOR POLITICAL 
PURPOSES.  CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS, MR. COHEN SAYS HE IS
ONLY TRYING TO MAKE THE PUBLIC SUMMARY OF THE SECRET REPORT MORE 
ACCURATE.

TEXT:  THE NEW REPORT IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO SAY CUBA POSES LITTLE
OR NO THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES.  THE DOCUMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO
BE DELIVERED TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS LAST TUESDAY, BUT MR. COHEN 
SAYS IT WILL STAY ON HIS DESK FOR A WHILE. 

EARLIER, AN UN-NAMED NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIAL WAS QUOTED AS 
SAYING THE REPORT WAS BEING REVIEWED TO MAKE SURE IT FIT THE TONE
OF OVERALL U-S POLICY TOWARD CUBA.

                          /// COHEN ///

         I HAVE NO INTENTION OF TRYING TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE, OR
         CHANGE IT IN A WAY THAT WOULD SEEK TO POLITICIZE IT FOR 
         ANY OTHER OBJECTIVE.  IT IS AN INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND
         IT SHOULD NOT BE POLITICIZED.  

                         /// END ACT ///

SOME CUBAN AMERICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS INSIST CUBA'S 
BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY AND PARTLY-COMPLETED NUCLEAR REACTOR MEAN 
IT STILL MENACES THE UNITED STATES.   (SIGNED) 

NEB/RAE

02-Apr-98 2:09 PM EST (1909 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.