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Cuba Condemns US Protection of Terrorist Groups

Caracas, Aug 11 (Prensa Latina) The case of the five Cubans imprisoned in the US demonstrates the impunity of US based terrorist groups, said Cuban National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon.

At a news conference with media accredited to 16th World Festival of Youth and Students in Caracas, Ricardo Alarcon said the Atlanta Court of Appeals ruling, which reversed the Five’s convictions, extensively documented the terrorist groups´ actions.

On the case of notorious terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, involved in the blowing up of a Cuban airliner that killed 73 in 1976, Alarcon said the Atlanta court referred to all the atrocities he committed.

"If there is a new trial, they better be prepared because it will be a Nuremberg for that terrorist and hypocritical administration," warned Alarcon, who said this time they will not be able to keep it out of the media, as they did in the first one.

He said that on August 9 an Atlanta court reversed the convictions of the five Cubans - which resulted in sentences ranging from 15 years to double life terms - who penetrated violent groups of Cuban exiles to monitor their terrorist activities.

Alarcon said at the trial it was proved that Cuba had to defend itself from terrorism, and this was referred to in the ruling that reversed the convictions and opened the possibility for a new trial.

The appeal decision documented all of the terrorist crimes committed by Posada Carriles, who is wanted in Venezuela for bombing a Cuban airliner. "The bombs he ordered to be planted and the damage they caused are included here," added the official.

The Cuban National Assembly President said the ball is now on the US side, and their administration must decide if there is to be a new trial.

"The game has just started but we are batting," he quoted, citing one of the Cuban prisoners.

"I am sure we will smash a grand slam on the first pitch," added Alarcon, referring to baseball, which is very popular in Cuba and the US.

The high ranking official called the public to send faxes, emails and letters to the US Attorney General to demand the release of The Five prisoners held in maximum security since 1998.

"It’s a struggle; it will take us time, but we are on the right track, and we’ll continue to fight till we win," he stressed.

"We are inspired," he added, "by the noble spirit of the Cuban people and motivated by the ideas of being able to help a nation in her struggle for true freedom and dignity."

Pastors for Peace started this solidarity project in 1993, and since then they have carried out 16 caravans collecting humanitarian aid for the Cuban people, despite growing pressures from the US government.

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