Full text of Cuban diplomat's statement denying allegations

February 26, 2000
Web posted at: 3:51 p.m. EST (2051 GMT)

The following is a statement that Jose Imperatori, vice-consul at the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, made to clear his name of allegations that he was a contact of a U.S. immigration official charged with spying for Cuba.

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He refers to the Elian Gonzalez custody case, in which the Cuban-American community in Miami is suing to keep the 6-year-old Cuban shipwreck survivor in the United States in the face of an Immigration and Naturalization Service ruling that he be sent back to his father in Cuba.

TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE:

"I have become the victim of a major slander. I have been wrongly accused of doing intelligence work in the United States.

"It has been said that an Immigration and Naturalization Service official, who according to his own bosses has rendered major services to his country for 34 years, was a spy and a traitor passing information to the Cuban government through me, thus affecting the security of this nation.

"Such news has been disseminated around the world and my diplomatic delegation has been asked to recall me from this country within seven days. This happened hardly 72 hours before a federal court hearing was to decide on the fate of the 6-year-old Cuban child Elian Gonzalez, who has been held captive in Miami for three months now.

"This arbitrary action comes as a devastating blow to the prestige and authority of the INS commissioner, who has recognized the legitimate right of full parental authority to the surviving parent who lives in Cuba with the child's four grandparents.

"Ever since its opening 22 years ago, the (Cuban) Interests Section officials were categorically and precisely instructed not to do intelligence work in the United States. Such instructions have been strictly observed and with absolutely no exceptions.

"This is not only the first time that something like (this) happens with a Cuban official in our Interests Section but it also occurs in a rather untimely and bizarre way at a time when an extremely sensitive legal case is unfolding.

"The accusation brought against me is absolutely false. Therefore, I feel it is my duty to state that the INS official is innocent of the accusation of espionage made against him and I can help to prove it.

"Today (Saturday), at 7:00 a.m., six-and-a-half hours before the deadline set for my departure, I submitted my resignation to the position I held at the Interests Section of Cuba in Washington.

"In so doing, I also gave up the guarantees and immunity I enjoyed which would have been effective until 1:30 p.m. I have also refused to be covered by the immunity accorded to the premises occupied by our diplomatic delegation.

"My wife and 3-year-old son left for Cuba last night, since by said time they too would have been without guarantees or immunity.

"This decision I make of my own free will. I no longer belong to the Interests Section. I assume all responsibilities and the consequences thereof. I am just a Cuban revolutionary who loves very deeply my homeland, my wife and my children.

"I shall firmly endure any sacrifices regardless of how hard it may be.

"But, not only me; also my predecessor, deputy consul Luis Molina, who has been targeted with the same accusation, is willing to travel to the United States without any guarantees or immunity, taking similar risks, to contribute to clear up this case.

"I shall remain in the same apartment where I have lived and as from this moment I declare myself in a hunger strike until I have been absolutely cleared of the accusation brought against me. I shall not resist arrest, not even if I am handcuffed and jailed. My morale and my truth will be my shield.

I beg the American people to understand me and to excuse me."

Mr. Jose Imperatori -- 11:00 a.m., February 26, 2000

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U.S. State Department
U.S. Department of Justice
Cubaweb
Cuban American National Foundation
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

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