Ask the Scholar

Document scope · 1 page
doc
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory. For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
134757356
label
Cuba
core
doc
dtoType
document
pageCount
1
Source metadata
Source extras
naId
134757356
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
42-t-2790519-20160920F-012-013-2018
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
8066aec1da3b0d1b
ocrText
FOIA Number: 2016-0920-F FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. Collection/Record Group: Clinton Presidential Records Subgroup/Office of Origin: Chief of Staff Series/Staff Member: Maria Echaveste Subseries: OA/ID Number: 18521 FolderID: Folder Title: Cuba Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: S 23 6 2 2 FBI says crashed Cuban plane probably hadn't been hijacked Immigration officials unsure what to do with 8 survivors KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - The FBI said yesterday the Cuban plane that crashed in the Gulf of Mexico doesn't appear to have been hijacked, but the agency is withholding a final determination until it questions eight survivors still aboard the cargo ship that res- cued them. A ninth survivor, Rodolfo Fuen- tes, 36, was in a Key West hospital, where he was interviewed by U.S. authorities yesterday. He was air- lifted from the Panamanian-flag freighter Chios Dream with severe head and neck injuries. Doctors said he is in stable condition and doing well. "We still need to interview the people on the ship before we can rule out a hijacking," said Judy Orihuela, an FBI spokeswoman in Miami. "At this point, it doesn't ap- pear to be a hijacking, but until we Ramon Perez Venero, a neighbor of pilot Lenin Iglesias, reads about the interview them we can't be sure." She said details of the Fuentes crash of Mr. Iglesias' crop-dusting plane in the Cuban paper Granma. interview are being withheld until authorities finish the investigation Once the FBI determines if the or membership in a particular so- val Cruise ship Tropicale initially plane was hijacked or flown from cial group." treated the survivors onboard the Cuba voluntarily, immigration of- U.S. law lets Cubans apply for freighter. In addition to Mr. Fuen- ficials will be able to determine residency if they reach U.S. soil. tes' injuries, one women had a bro- whether the survivors should Ordinarily, those who are picked ken collarbone and another had a quality for asylum in the United up at sea are returned to Cuba, but severe leg cut, Carnival spokes- States. U.S. authorities have re- authorities said it was too early to man Andy Newman said. turned hijackers to Cuba for pros- say what would be done. The Cuban government had said ecution and have prosecuted some When asked about the status of the pilot reported to the control in this country. Mr. Fuentes, Miss Cardona noted tower that he was being hijacked A Coast Guard cutter is waiting that he is now on U.S. soil and eli- and that the plane, a Russian-built near the rescue ship to take the gible to stay. government crop-duster, was en survivors from the freighter for in- A hospital executive said he had route to Florida with a group of terviews as soon as the sea calms. been told the eight survivors might adults and children. "If they pass the credible fear be brought to a Key West hospital A statement from the Cuban test, they will be taken to Guan- for evaluation to determine wheth- government, published yesterday tanamo Bay (the U.S. base at the er they should be admitted. in the Communist Party daily eastern end of Cuba). If they do "The Coast Guard had told me Granma, said that pilot Lenin Ig- not, they will be repatriated to earlier that they had a plan to bring lesias Hernandez apparently first Cuba," said Maria Cardona, a in the eight people," said Ron Bier- took off in the plane at 7:35 a.m. spokeswoman for the Immigration man, chief executive of the Lower Tuesday from a small airstrip for and Naturalization Service. Keys Medical Center. "Now they what appeared to be a routine The credible fear test requires say they haven't made a decision crop-dusting flight. It said he flew would-be immigrants to demon- yet. My hope is they give us some to another airport, picked up a strate a fear of persecution in their indication with reasonable amount group of people waiting at the end home country "based on national- of time to make arrangements." of a runway, then took off again at ity, race, religion, political opinion A doctor from the nearby Carni- 8:35 a.m. The Washington Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 Democratic senators use rules to protest judge-nominee stall By Cheryl Wetzstein choice but to adjourn and excuse selected by senators," she added. the witnesses. and Audrey Hudson Mr. Robb joined Mr. Levin in THE WASHINGTON TIMES Mr. Hatch later told The Wash- yesterday's objection because he is ington Times that it was sad that concerned about vacancies on the Entertainment-media leaders an important hearing had to be cut 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, his were ready to face questions yes- short "just because three senators spokeswoman said. terday from the Senate Judiciary are upset about their own judges." Mr. Hatch disputed these asser- Committee about children and vio- "It's discouraging when we have tions, saying that 773 judges have lent media. a really good hearing set up that been confirmed during the Clinton But the executives were excused could make a difference and re- administration, compared with before they could take their seats solve problems surrounding the 783 confirmations when President at the hearing table after Senate moral disruption of our children," Reagan was in office. Democrats, led by Sen. Carl Levin Mr. Hatch said. Several nominees are "very con- of Michigan, invoked a little-used Many people in the entertain- troversial" and FBI background rule that stopped all Senate hear- ment industry are serious about checks are incomplete on many of ings. solving problems with marketing the nominees, he said. The Democrats acted to protest adult entertainment to underage "[Democrats] would rather play the Senate Judiciary panel's inac- children, he said. But some sen- politics than do what's right," Mr. tion on judicial nominees for U.S. ators aren't, and by shutting down Hatch added. "Had they not pulled Court of Appeals, aides said. the hearing, they "just laughed" these tricks at the end, they may Too few nominees have been about the problem, he said. have gotten more than Reagan." voted on, they said. So at about "I'm used to the rules around Yesterday's action by the Demo- 11:30 a.m. yesterday, Mr. Levin, here and they have every right to crats was the second tactic used Sen. Charles S. Robb of Virginia [stop hearings]," Mr. Hatch said. this week. On Monday, Senate Mi- and other unidentified Democrats, "I have to say that Senator nority Leader Tom Daschle, South objected to a routine request to al- Levin, for one, has indicated he Dakota Democrat, blocked a unan- low senators to conduct business would use everything in his quiver imous consent agreement to allow off the Senate floor two hours after to get his cousin on the court," he a full Senate vote on four of Mr. the daily session has begun. added, referring to Judge Helene Clinton's judicial nominees to draw If even one senator objects to the White, a nominee for the 6th Cir- attention to the Judiciary Commit- request, all hearings and other leg- cuit Court of Appeals. tee's failure to confirm other Clin- islative activities must stop for the A spokeswoman for Mr. Levin ton nominees. day. said yesterday that Judge White, Yesterday's Judiciary Commit- Senate Judiciary Committee one of two Michigan judges await- tee hearing was in response to a Chairman Orrin G. Hatch, Utah ing confirmation hearings, was Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Republican, was waiting to hear nominated by the White House in report that found the entertain- from Jack Valenti of the Motion January 1997. ment industry is marketing violent Picture Association of America, "Over two years later, in April videos, music, movies and video Hilary Rosen of the Recording In- 1999, Judge White was married to games to underage children. dustry Association of America, a cousin of Senator Levin," the The committee was considering and Doug Lowenstein of the Inter- spokeswoman said. "Court of Ap- whether Congress should pass an active Digital Software Associ- peals appointments are White antitrust exemption to allow enter- ation, when he learned that the House appointments, and unlike tainment companies to create a hearings were canceled. He had no District Court nominees, are not "code of conduct." The Washington Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 THE WHITE HOUSE 9/20 To: Maria Echaveste Jahe Siewert Namey MeFudder Jun (ennedy Mara Rudenan (NSC) FR: Sean 67074 RE. This was faced to us by the USC6. asupdates occur, we will continue to forward around. cc: Kiis Balder ton SEP.20.2000 11:05AM DOT/OST/PUB. AFFAIRS EP-20-2000 09:25A FROM:USCG Dr PUBLIC HETHI JOD 536 7402 TO:912023662Y0.151 P.1/1/1 Coast Guard News Seventh Coast Guard Public Affairs Office 909 S.E. First Ave, Rm 954, Miami, FL 33131 Phone (305) 415-6683 UNITED GUARD Fax (305) 415-6685 1790 **WORKING DRAFT** Release No. 09-16 Sept. 20,2000 Contact: Public Affairs Office For Immediate Release Transfer of survivors from downed plane delayed The transfer of eight survivors from the downed aircraft 60 miles west off the coast of Cuba, is scheduled to take place this morning has been delayed until tonight at 8 p.m. The delay is due to rough weather on scene, consisting of four- to eight-foot seas and winds gusting to 25 knots. Once the transfer from the Motor Vessel Chios Dream to the Coast Guard Cutter Courageous is completed, FBI and immigration officials will conduct interviews to determine the status of the survivors. The Chios Dream recovered the nine survivors and one deceased male from the water, 240 miles southwest of Key West, Fla. The Coast Guard Cutter Courageous will continue to provide safe, comfortable care for the survivors until a U.S. Government decision is made. -uscg- OPTIONAL FORM B9 (7-90) FAX TRANSMITTAL # al pages / To MARY TROUPO From PAZ Mike BROCK Dept./Agency DOT Phone , (305)415-6683 Fax # Fax # (202)366-6337 NSN 7540-01-317-7388 6629-101 GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION -1") Visit our homepage at www.uscg.mil/d7/d7dpa/indexdpa.hm for more information on the Seventh CG District. THE WHITE HOUSE 9/21 70: Maria Echaveste Juke Siewert Nancy MeFudder jun Kennedy Mara Redmond Muchele Ballemtyne (c: Kris Balderston PR: Seem 67074 RE: This is the release the USCG put out yesterday. SEP-20-2000 07:53P FROM: USCG D7 PUBLIC AFFAI 305 536 7402 TO:913052928739 Cubar Plane Coast Guard News Soventh Coast Guard Public Affairs Office STATES COAST 909 S.E. First Ave, Rm 954, Miami, FL 33131 Phone (305) 415-6683 UNITED SUARD 1790 19L^ 366-7952 366- Fax (305) 415-6685 Woods Release No. 09-17 talking Points Sept. 20, 2000 Contact: Public Affairs Office For Immediate Release Medevac of remaining survivors from downed plane underway The Coast Guard, with concerns for the medical condition of the remaining survivors, has decided to medically evacuate the eight Cubans to Coast Guard Group Key West for further transfer to Florida Lower Keys Hospital today. The medevac is scheduled to be completed at approximately 10 p.m. A Coast Guard helicopter crew flew a Navy flight surgeon to the Chios Dream about 2 p.m. today to further evaluate the condition of the survivors. The flight surgeon's recommendations are that the eight survivors are stable but should be seen by medical personnel once the Chios Dream reaches Key West Fla The Coast Guard Cutter Nantucker from Station Key West was dispatched to the Chias Dream to transfer the survivors to awaiting Emergency Medical Services Personnel. The Coast Guard Seventh District Command center received a call yesterday from Miami Center at approximately 10:40 a.m. of a plane, an Antonov AN-2, that had been allegedly hijacked in Cuba and was headed west towards the Yucatan Peninsula. At 10:50 a.m., the Coast Guard Command Center received another report from the U.S. Customs Service that the plane may have gone down in the water, 60 miles southwest of Marquesas Key, Fla There were reportedly 18 people on board. The Coast Guard immediately responded with all available assets. The Coast Guard Cutter Monhegan, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Key West, Fla., arrived on scene at 1 p.m. The Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket, a 110-foot Visit our homepage at www.uscg.mil/d7/d7dpa/indexdpa.htm for more information on the Seventh CG District. I PAGE FAX 3052928739 GRU KW OPCEN SEP-20-00 WED 09:28 PM NO.125 P.3/3 SEP-20-2000 07:54P FROM:USCG 07 PUBLIC AFFRI 305 536 7402 TO:913052928739 P:2/2 patrol boat from Key West, and the Cutter Courageous, a 210-foot ship from Panama City, Fla., were also diverted to the area. A Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon jet from Air Station Miami arrived on scene at 12:15 p.m. and completed its first search area with no results, A C-1,30 from Air Station Clearwater also was sent to the scene, while three HH-65 Dolphin and one HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter were sent to Naval Air Station Key West and placed on a ready- launch status to respond to any sightings from the planes. Also at 12:15 p.m., the Coast Guard received a report of a second possible search site where the plane might have gone down. The C-130 was diverted to this location, latitude 22-32 N, longitude 85-32 W, where the pilot had first reported the alleged hijacking, At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Chios Dream called the Coast Guard reporting they had found survivors and wreckage in the water. They recovered the nine survivors and one deceased victim approximately 60 miles west of the west end of Cuba, at latitude 22-20 North and longirude 85-35 West. The Coast Guard C-130 continued to remain on scene to coordinate Coast Guard operations and communications with the Chios Dream. The nine survivors included three men, three women and three children. The one deceased was a male adult Reports from the survivors indicated that no others were on board the downed plane - -that there were only 10, not 18 as had been originally reported. Chios Dream then rendezvous with the Carrival Cruise Ship Tropicale. The Tropicale was 15 miles away from the Chios Dream's location and agreed to transfer the ship's doctor to the Chios Dream where he examined and stabilized the survivors until the Coast Guard helicopter arrived. From his reports, one male survivor who had severe head and neck trauma should be medically evacuated. The Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter arrived on scene at approximately 9:15 p.m., performed a hoist of the injured man, and flew him back to Key West Airport and landed at 10:35 p.m, where he was transferred by ambulance to Florida Lower Keys Hospital. At 10:30 p.m., the Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket arrived on scene. At 11:15 p.m., a four-member boarding team from the Nantucket boarded the Chios Dream, where they conducted search and rescue debriefs throughout the night. The Courageous is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter from Panama City, Fla Visit our homepage at www.uscg.mil/d7/d7dpa/indexdpa.htm for more information on the Seventh CG District. Z PAGE X:3052928739 GRU KW OPCEN SEP-20-00 WED 09:28 PM Los Angeles Agrees to Changes for Police By TODD S. PURDUM management, some of which, like the judge. But Mr. Riordan, a Republi- LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20 - Bow- tracking system for problem offi- can, and Mr. Parks had bitterly re- ing to the inevitable, Los Angeles city cers, have been delayed and argued sisted any measure that smacked of officials have agreed to accept a over since. One goal of the threat- ceding local control and resisted col- federal court agreement that would ened lawsuit, which federal officials lecting data on racial profiling. Mr. require a series of long-sought announced in May, has been to force Riordan agreed to support an agree- changes in police management and such changes now. ment as long as it included language training to head off a threatened civil Bill Lann Lee, assistant attorney aimed at ensuring that city officials rights lawsuit over what the Justice general for civil rights, expressed would retain management of the de- Department has called a systemic satisfaction at the vote. "This is yet partment, that paperwork for offi- pattern of abusive conduct by offi- another positive step, and we look cers would be minimized and that cers here. forward to working with the negoti- the consent decree would expire af- The City Council voted 10 to 2 on ating team to reach a final agree- ter five years unless the Justice De- Tuesday to accept a binding federal ment," Mr. Lee said in a statement. partment sought to extend it. consent decree, after Mayor Richard The Justice Department has been Officially, the department reports J. Riordan rescinded his threat of a conducting its inquiry since 1996, to a board of civilian commissioners veto and Police Chief Bernard C. centering on excessive use of force appointed by the mayor, but it has Parks reluctantly dropped his oppo- by officers. It is operating under a long enjoyed an unusual degree of sition. Mr. Riordan won office in 1993 1994 federal law inspired by the King autonomy and regularly resisted Ci- on a piedge to expand the police beating and the 1992 riots sparked by vilian oversight. Voters approved department and did so, only to find creation of the office of an inspector himself over the past year facing the general, recommended by Mr. Chris- threat of the lawsuit, plus a separate topher's commission, to review de- local investigation into police corrup- Monitoring for a partment conduct, but the first two tion and evidence-tampering that incumbents in that post complained amounts to the worst such scandal in force accused of that the department resisted re- decades. quests for documents and data. The agreement, which has yet to corruption and "The real question about the con- be given final approval by the Jus- sent decree is will Parks comply," tice Department and a federal court, brutality. said Joe Domanick, the author of "To would require the department to col- Protect and to Serve," a 1994 history lect data on the race of people of the department. "Because it goes stopped by officers in an effort to against his entire professional and determine the extent of racial profil- the acquittal of officers in the case. temperamental grain. But 1 do think ing, install a computerized tracking The law authorizes federal pros- it'll have to be a bit different now, system to track complaints and dis- ecutors to go to court to force because if the chief doesn't comply, ciplinary actions against officers, changes in the operations of local then the monitor can take the depart- strengthen the civilian board of com- departments if it finds a "pattern ment to federal court and order him missioners that oversees the police and practice" of misconduct. Los An- to comply." and create a special department unit geles would be the largest city to Among elements the Justice De- to investigate shootings and use of come under such supervision but the partment has said would be part of force by officers. Justice Department has already an agreement are tightened controls "I think it's just terrific as a first reached consent decrees with police of the police units that monitor step to police reform," said Erwin departments in Pittsburgh and Steu- gangs, stricter guidelines for the use Chemerinsky, a constitutional law benville, Ohio, and with the New Jer- of confidential informants and a professor at the University of South- sey State Police, where the aim was campaign of "community outreach" ern California and the author of a to bar racial profiling in traffic stops aimed at restoring public confidence. report for the police union that rec- by troopers. The United States attor- Since last fall, the city has been ommended accepting the consent de- ney's office in Brooklyn has amassed shaken by a police corruption scan- cree and adopting similar changes. what officials call evidence of sys- dal that came to light after a rogue "My only caution is that it's just a temwide problems in the New York former officer in an antigang unit first step," Professor Chemerinsky Police Department's handling of bru- confessed to shooting an unarmed said. "I think it's very important that tality complaints, and the office is suspect and leaving him paralyzed, this not be the occasion for declaring pressing New York for changes with then testifying falsely at trial to send victory and moving on, because the threat of a similar suit. him to jail. More than 100 convictions there's a lot it doesn't do." The city attorney and a majority of have been thrown out by judges and Indeed, police conduct has been a the Democratic-controlled City prosecutors and 20 officers have left major civic and political issue here Council here, many of whose mem- active duty. Officials say they expect at least since the videotaped beating bers have been seeking changes in more than 250 lawsuits to be filed by of the motorist Rodney G. King in the police department for years, had people wrongly accused of crimes, 1991 and a subsequent inquiry by favored a consent decree, which with potential legal costs to the city Warren M. Christopher, which rec- would be overseen by an independent running into the hundreds of millions ommended broad changes in police monitor and supervised by a federal of dollars. THE NEW YORK TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 By RICK BRAGG be brought in to the hospital so they could be checked out medically." MIAMI, Sept. 20 - Eight Cuban The survivors were transferred survivors of a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico were being taken today to from the cargo ship to the cutter Nantucket. Once on land, they were Key West for medical evaluation, a move that is likely to allow them to to be taken to Florida Lower Keys remain in the United States. Hospital, Petty Officer Carr said. United States Coast Guard offi- Earlier in the day, Representative cials decided late this evening to take Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Representa- the eight Cubans to hospitals in Key tive Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both Re- West so they could be treated for publicans from South Florida, and their injuries and evaluated by doc- the politically powerful Cuban Amer- tors, a spokesman for the Immigra- ican National Foundation sent letters tion and Naturalization Service said. Once the eight Cubans set foot on to the Clinton administration asking United States soil, they can legally that the nine survivors be granted apply for political asylum. A ninth political asylum. "Certainly they will face persecu- Survivors Cuban Plane for U.S. Residency survivor is already being treated in Key West for head and neck injuries tion in Cuba for their involvement in and is expected to be moved, perhaps such a high-profile and risky attempt as early tonight, to be with friends to flee the island," wrote Mr. Diaz- and relatives in Miami. Balart and Ms. Lehtinen, referring to The decision to allow the Cubans early news reports that the plane off a Coast Guard vessel and onto was hijacked from an airfield in American soil was made according Cuba. what Greg Gagne, a spokesman for The plane circled the Chios Dream the immigration agency, called med- and crashed about 50 miles west of ical necessity. Ten people in all were inside the Cuba and 150 miles east of the Yuca- small crop-duster plane when it took tan peninsula. off from western Cuba on Tuesday The injured man, who identified and then crashed into the Gulf of himself to hospital officials as Ro- Mexico. The crew of the cargo ship dolfo Fuentes, 36, suffered a concus- Chios Dream pulled all 10 from the sion, and was airlifted to a Key West water, including one man with seri- hospital. He was interviewed today ous head injuries who was flown to a by the authorities. hospital in Key West for treatment at Relatives in Miami said Mr. Fuen- à hospital and one man who was tes was traveling with his wife, Li- killed in the crash. liana Ponzoa, 36, and their son, Andy, Earlier reports from American 6. authorities had led many here in Coast Guard officials had not re- Miami's Cuban-American communi- leased the name of the dead man. ty to believe that the eight remaining The Federal Bureau of Investiga- passengers, none of them with life- tion said today that the Cuban plane threatening injuries, would not be did not appear to have been hijacked, transferred to American soil any- as Cuban officials said the pilot had time soon - or at best, that they reported, but the agency was with- would be taken to the United States holding a final determination until it Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, questioned the other survivors. Cuba, where their requests for politi- Once the F.B.I. determines wheth- cal asylum would be heard. But er the plane was hijacked or flown Coast Guard officials apparently de- from Cuba voluntarily, immigration cided that all eight of the remaining officials will be able to determine if crash survivors needed medical at- the survivors should qualify for asy- tention. lum. The decision at least appears to A statement from the Cuban gov- head off another confrontation be- ernment, published today in the tween the Clinton administration and Communist Party daily Granma, Miami's Cuban Americans, who had said that the pilot, Lenin Iglesias clashed over the Elián González cus- Hernandez, apparently first took off tody case. in the plane at 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday "The Coast Guard has decided to from a small airstrip for what ap- peared to be a routine crop-dusting go ahead and medically evacuate the flight. remaining eight Cuban migrants The statement said he flew to an- from the Chios Dream," Petty Offi- other airport, picked up a group of cer Scott Carr said, referring to the people waiting at the end of a run- cargo ship. "We made the recom- way, then took off again at 8:35 a.m. mendation that all the people would THE NEW YORK TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 Cuba NETHERCUTT COMPROMISE LEGISLATION Would require the President to provide 60 day advance notice to Congress AND obtain a joint resolution of approval BEFORE imposing sanctions; This means, for example, that the President would need to make public his intent and wait months before he could gain Congressional approval if he decided to impose these sanctions on the Taliban. Prohibits any trade financing on exports to Cuba or Iran; Prohibition on financing could prohibit some current financing of people-to-people initiatives with Cuba; Prohibits travel to Cuba related to "tourist activities," but definition of "tourist activities" is extremely broad and could pull in travel currently permitted, such as for medical emergencies, travel related to lawsuits, and perhaps family travel. Would terminate all existing sanctions immediately, and any new sanctions after a period of two years; The list of exceptions that would permit the President to impose sanctions is too narrow - does not, for example, include when there is a risk of hostilities; The commodity definition for food and medical devices is extremely broad - could include cotton, wood, and even possibly fertilizer and some equipment - think about its application again in the context of providing this material to the Taliban; Terrorism provisions would require us to impose sanctions/licensing regime on North Korea - for which we have just lifted sanctions - and Syria, for which we do not currently have trade sanctions. Also requires stricter licensing regime in some respects than current food and medicine policy for Iran; Would prevent any additional easing of import sanctions on Iran - without a change in law -- even if Iran takes positive steps to improve its behavior; Applies sanctions to all countries on the terrorism list as of June 1, 2000. This does not permit lifting of the sanctions if the countries are removed from that list - takes away an incentive for countries to improve their behavior.