|
|
USIA - State Department Report (96-08-27)
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>
STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1996
(Cuba/Vesco, Chechnya, Libya/Farrakhan) (320)
There was no regular briefing, but Acting State Department Spokesman
Glyn Davies did speak on-the-record with reporters. No transcript is
available of this briefing.
CUBA/VESCO -- The State Department will not be commenting on the
conviction by the Cuban government of American financier Robert Vesco,
according to Davies. Cuban officials sentenced Vesco to 13 years in
prison for trying to develop and market a "miracle drug" without the
permission of Cuban authorities.
Davies did say, however, that "as a general matter ... Cuban law and
Cuban trial practices do not ... meet international standards for fair
public trials." Under questioning, however, Davies acknowledged that
there was no evidence that Vesco got an unfair trial. "In general, the
Cuban system is unfair," Davies said.
Davies added that the United States "remains interested in Vesco and
his return to face prosecution here." Vesco is wanted in the United
States on fraud and drug-trafficking charges. The United States has in
the past requested the Cuban government to return Vesco to the United
States to face these charges, Davies said, but there are no plans at
present to repeat that request. Davies specified that the U.S.
"requested" Cuba to return Vesco; the U.S. extradition treaty with
Cuba, dating back to 1904, has not been invoked since 1959.
CHECHNYA -- The United States welcomes the agreement between Chechnya
and Russia for a Russian troop withdrawal from Chechnya, Davies said.
The Russian troops are to begin their withdrawal August 28.
LIBYA/FARRAKHAN -- Davies had no information as to whether the
relationship between Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and the
Libyan government is illegal under U.S. law. According to press
reports, Farrakhan has asked the Treasury Department for permission to
accept a $1 billion donation from Libya. The gift reportedly will be
used to boost the economic condition of African-Americans.
|