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Washington Press Conference highlights terrorist Posada Carilles Prosecution by US Government.

CUBA, January 6th, 2011.- The Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) based in Washington, US, hosted a press-only briefing in DC today regarding the trial of Cuban exile Luis Posada Carriles due for hearing 10th January.

Posada Carriles is being prosecuted for the first time by the U.S. government after a lengthy career of international terrorism.

The participants included Livio Di Celmo, brother of Fabio Di Celmo, a victim of terrorism, who was killed in one of a series of hotel bombings in Havana in 1997, orchestrated by Posada Carriles.

Fabio Di Celmo, an Italian citizen and Canadian resident, was 32 years old when he was killed in lobby of the Copacabana Hotel in Havana on September 4, 1997.

Peter Kornbluh, senior analyst at the National Security Archive, an expert on the Posada Carriles case and the history of terrorism in the region gave a background to the case.

As the judge has ruled that Posada Carriles can introduce evidence of his past connection to the CIA as part of his defense, Kornbluh also provided information on the history of that controversial relationship.

The trial, where Posada Carriles will face charges of lying about his role in the bombings, and committing immigration fraud in connection with his illegal entry into the U.S. in March 2005, begins in El Paso on January 10; it marks the first time the U.S. government will present formal evidence of Posada's involvement in terrorism directed at Cuban targets.

The purpose of the briefing today was to raise interest and awareness about this complicated case, to provide factual background on the recent history of these legal proceedings, their possible impact on U.S.-Cuba relations, and how the trial could affect U.S. credibility in the campaign against terrorism.

Those attending received background reports, investigative records and declassified documents that will be useful in covering the trial.  (Cubaminrex-RHC)