DATE=4/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230145
TITLE=CONGRESS/CUBA (L)
BYLINE=BILL RODGERS
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   CUBAN-AMERICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE ANNOUNCED NEW LEGISLATION 
TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CUBAN DISSIDENT GROUPS AND THOSE WHO 
SUFFER POLITICAL PERSECUTION.  AS V-O-A'S  CORRESPONDENT BILL 
RODGERS REPORTS, THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT DISCOUNT USING COVERT 
MEANS FOR FUNNELING THIS ASSISTANCE INTO CUBA.  

TEXT:  THREE CUBAN-AMERICAN LAWMAKERS ARE SPONSORING THE MEASURE 
WHICH FURTHER REFINES A SECTION OF THE CONTROVERSIAL HELMS-BURTON
LAW THAT PROVIDES FOR HELPING CUBAN DISSIDENTS AND VICTIMS OF 
POLITICAL REPRESSION.  THE NEW MEASURE CALLS SPECIFICALLY FOR 
SENDING COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT SUCH AS FAX MACHINES TO CUBAN 
DISSIDENTS AS WELL AS CASH TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES -- AND 
THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN JAILED.  THE PROPOSAL ALSO 
CALLS FOR MONITORING SUCH AID TO ENSURE IT IS DELIVERED ONLY TO 
THE INTENDED RECIPIENTS.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THURSDAY TO ANNOUNCE THE MEASURE, THE 
LAWMAKERS REFUSED TO SAY EXACTLY HOW THIS ASSISTANCE WOULD BE 
SENT TO THESE GROUPS INSIDE CUBA.   BUT DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN 
ROBERT MENENDEZ DID NOT DISCOUNT USING COVERT MEANS TO DO SO.  

                       ///MENENDEZ ACT///

         THE UNITED STATES HAS BOTH OVERT AND COVERT ABILITIES TO
         DO THAT.  THE UNITED STATES HAS HAD THE ABILITY TO DO 
         THAT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.  BUT THE BOTTOM LINE 
         IS THAT WHEN AN ADMINISTRATION IS DESIROUS OF 
         ACCOMPLISHING THOSE GOALS, IT CAN DO SO.

                          ///END ACT///

//OPT// MR. MENENDEZ, A DEMOCRAT FROM NEW JERSEY, CITED THE CASE 
OF POLAND AS AN EXAMPLE, WHEN THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED 
SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS OF THE BANNED SOLIDARITY LABOR MOVEMENT IN 
THE 1980'S. //END OPT// 

MR. MENENDEZ -- AND THE OTHER TWO CO-SPONSORS FLORIDA REPUBLICANS
LINCOLN DIAZ BALART AND ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN -- FAULTED THE 
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH UNDER CURRENT LAW TO 
DIRECTLY HELP CUBAN DISSIDENTS.  THEY SAY THEIR MEASURE, IF IT 
BECOMES LAW, WOULD MANDATE SUCH ASSISTANCE.

A SPOKESMAN AT THE CUBAN INTERESTS SECTION IN WASHINGTON 
DENOUNCED THE PROPOSAL -- SAYING IT WOULD VIOLATE CUBAN 
SOVEREIGNTY AND INTERFERE IN CUBA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

                         ///REST OPT/// 

IN THE PAST, CUBAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ACCUSED DISSIDENTS OF ACTING 
UNDER ORDERS FROM THE UNITED STATES -- WHICH HAS MAINTAINED AN 
ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST THE COMMUNIST NATION FOR MORE THAN 35 
YEARS.  CONGRESSMAN MENENDEZ ACKNOWLEDGED THURSDAY THAT THEIR 
PROPOSAL COULD ADD FUEL TO THESE CHARGES.  BUT HE SAID IT IS THE 
CUBAN DISSIDENTS THEMSELVES WHO ARE REQUESTING DIRECT ASSISTANCE.
(SIGNED)



NEB/WFR/PT    

23-Apr-98 4:01 PM EDT (2001 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.