DATE=2/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - CUBA SPY (L)
NUMBER=2-259606
BYLINE=VICTOR BEATTIE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO: A Cuban diplomat, who refused to leave the 
United States after being charged with espionage, 
returns to Havana today (Sunday) after being escorted 
to a Washington airport by law enforcement officials.  
V-O-A's Victor Beattie reports Jose Imperatori, who 
maintains his innocence, was preparing to contest the 
allegations linking him to a U-S immigration official 
charged with spying.


Text:  The U-S State Department says Mr. Imperatori 
was expelled from the United States for not 
voluntarily leaving the country by the deadline of 
midday Saturday.  The 46-year old diplomat, who had 
worked at the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, 
was not handcuffed and looked impassive as he was 
taken by federal agents to Reagan National Airport 
outside Washington for a government flight to 
Montreal.  A Canadian commercial flight was to take 
him back to Cuba.

At a Saturday news conference, Mr. Imperatori strongly 
denied links with arrested immigration official 
Mariano Faget, a Cuban-born official charged with 
spying.  At a separate news conference Saturday, Cuban 
Interests Section spokesman Fernando Ramirez 
acknowledged his colleague had had contacts with Mr. 
Faget, but insists they were not criminal in nature.

			///Ramirez actuality///

We want to be very clear that he is completely 
innocent, that he didn't do anything wrong, that 
the Cuban Interests Section in Washington does 
not do any kind of intelligence or espionage 
activities.

		///end actuality///

Mr. Ramirez insists there is a link between Mr. 
Faget's arrest and the custody battle over six-year 
old Elian Gonzalez, a shipwreck victim saved off the 
U-S coast and that Havana demands be returned to his 
father in Cuba.  Court papers have identified Mr. 
Imperatori as the immigration official's washington 
contact.

Mr. Imperatori earlier had resigned his post as 
Consular Affairs Officer leaving him without 
diplomatic immunity insisting he is a victim of what 
he calls a major slander.  His refusal to leave 
voluntarily came as no surprise as Cuban officials 
signalled all last week they had no intention of 
willingly abiding by the deportation order.  (signed).


neb/vb/plm 



27-Feb-2000 02:23 AM EDT (27-Feb-2000 0723 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.