Posted on 09/10/2001 10:05:15 PM PDT by kattracks
HAVANA (AP) - Cuba has the right to seek information on exile groups in the United States, the foreign minister said Monday, responding to the arrest of two more Florida residents accused of being Cuban spies.
Cuba has said that five people convicted of being part of a Cuban spy ring called "La Red Avispa," Spanish for The Wasp Network, are innocent and were only trying to collect information on exile groups.
"Cuba believes there is no other option than to continue seeking this information by its own means," Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said Monday.
At least five people have been convicted on espionage charges and are awaiting sentencing in Miami.
Another couple was arrested late last month on charges they attempted to infiltrate a South Florida military headquarters and conduct surveillance on a powerful Cuban exile group.
Perez Roque said the latest arrests were a stunt to influence the judge in the cases of the Cubans convicted of spying.
He said Cuba has only sought to infiltrate Cuban exile groups because their members have been accused of carrying out "terrorist acts," including Cuban hotel bombings that killed an Italian tourist and injured 11 other people in 1997.
"Cuba reiterates its belief that it has the right to take these measures to look for information in the United States," Perez Roque said.
Last month, the FBI arrested George Gari, 40, and his wife, Marisol Gari, 42. Prosecutors say the pair were trained for several years in weapons, explosives, encryption and surveillance before moving to the Miami area about 10 years ago.
Psst! Fidel: The Cuban people have a right to vote, you filthy murderous coward...what about those free elections you promised?
'Castro's Cuba Never Earned Anything From America'
Now what's that supposed to indicate?
They (exile groups) hate him, and wish him dead.
See, no need for spies.
"Cuba reiterates its belief that it has the right to take these measures to look for information in the United States," Perez Roque said.
Heck, who cares what they believe!
Is this true?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.