USIA - State Department Report (96-08-27)

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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)

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.

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