Cuba: U.S. Diplomat Aided Dissidents

Top Envoy To Havana Accused Of Funneling Private Funds To Political Opposition Leaders

(CBS/AP)  Cuba on Monday accused America's top diplomat in Havana of carrying mail to dissidents that contained private funds from an organization run by the benefactor of an alleged terrorist.

Authorities presented e-mails and other correspondence they say back their claim against Michael Parmly, chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. But while the evidence referred to "letters," it included no direct proof there was money involved.

Cuban officials say they will disclose more proof of this undiplomatic conduct and will begin releasing it on Cuban TV Monday evening, reports CBS News producer Portia Siegelbaum from Havana.

Nevertheless, Cuba claimed the funds were sent to political opposition leaders Martha Beatriz Roque and Laura Pollan from a Miami-based organization called Fundacion Rescate Juridica, which is headed by Santiago Alvarez - a benefactor of Luis Posada Carriles, accused by Cuba of masterminding bombings of a jetliner and hotels and other terrorist acts. Posada has denied the allegations.

"This reveals the connection between the counterrevolutionaries in Cuba with the terrorists," said Josefina Vidal Ferreira, director of the Foreign Ministry's North American Department.

Roque heads the Assembly for Civil Society while Pollan is a member of the Ladies in White group of political prisoners' wives. Neither was immediately available for comment Monday.

Cuba has accused officials at the American mission of providing U.S. government funds and material support to the island's tiny opposition for years.

U.S. officials have acknowledged sending books, radios, tape recorders and other items purchased through the U.S. Agency for International Development, which receives government funding, but they have always adamantly denied giving dissidents cash.

"This assistance has no political purpose, but is intended to address the day-to-day needs of families who are struggling to survive in the current system," a diplomat with the U.S. Interests Section told CBS News. The diplomat said they have not read the details of Cuba's allegations.

During a 2003 crackdown, Cuba charged 75 opposition members with being "mercenaries" working with U.S. officials to overthrow the communist system and sentenced them to long prison terms. Twenty of the original 75 have been released - 16 on medical parole and four into forced exile in Spain.

U.S. officials and dissidents denied those charges.

[quetzalcrist]

One-American .
its funny to see a "ConservoRat"
defending those taking a "Wider Stance on family values"........

[quetzalcrist]

Nothing new here,
you dont really exzpect any diplomat to not get involved into someone elses business?

[brianbwb-2009]

"It can nto be that we are scared S H I T of China hey they got the bomb!!" Posted by jerryomara

No, it is because China lets US companies exploit their slave labor, and Cuba doesn''t.

[brianbwb-2009]

"I believe its OK to fund Cuba dissedents. Afterall they are going to topple godless communist leaders and that is something we all should be proud of." Posted by faith_in_w

Freedom of religion also includes freedom from religion, to cause harm to a society just because their leaders don''t follow your religion, harm which will include death and destruction, is not something to be proud of, in fact such is the fruit of the reverse religion.

[brianbwb-2009]

"This assistance has no political purpose, but is intended to address the day-to-day needs of families who are struggling to survive in the current system," a diplomat with the U.S. Interests Section told CBS News. The diplomat said they have not read the details of Cuba''s allegations."

There is a large number of Americans who need "to address the day-to-day needs of families who are struggling to survive in the current system,", so why fund non Americans, and deny allegations they have not seen?

regarding the US diplomats, "Methinks they doth protest too much..."

[ubrew12]

One-American said: "Its funny to see liberals defend communist dictators!"
Which dictators do you defend? Mubarak of Egypt, who gets $2 billion/year from us to put his boot on the necks of his own people? Musharev of Pakistan, who suspended elections 6 years ago, and recently assassinated his major competition (Bhutto)? How about the Saud family in Saudi Arabia?

Dictators ought to be an endangered species, whether left or right. But look out over the world and who are we ACTIVELY funding, to enslave their own populations? Left? or RIGHT!

BTW, two of the last two attacks on the World Trade Center were LED by Egyptians. Al-Qaida?

Maybe. But, just maybe, supporting dictators carries risks...

[burneb]

Statements from Cuban officials are not very credible. How sad that statements from U.S. officials in this administration are not really any more credible than the Cubans.

[rickstas]

One-American / faith_in_w

There is no use trying to educate people with closed minds, but let''s just say you are welcome here. You might learn something if you aren''t careful.

[one-american]

It''s funny to see liberals defend communist dictators!

Don''t they understand how silly they sound when they do that?

[middleman8]

faith_in

Judge not, for you will be judged 7x7 times worse.

[faith_in_w]

I believe its OK to fund Cuba dissedents. Afterall they are going to topple godless communist leaders and that is something we all should be proud of.