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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">April 6, 1998 No. 87</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CUBAN POLITICAL PRISONERS ARRIVE IN CANADA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Lucienne Robillard, Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration and MP for Westmount-Ville-Marie, today announced
that the first group of political prisoners released by Cuban authorities will
arrive in Canada tonight, accompanied by their dependants. The remaining Cuban
prisoners bound for Canada are expected to arrive in the country over the coming
weeks.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This follows a request from the Cuban government that Canada accept a number of
Cuban prisoners, whose release from prison had been requested by Pope John Paul
II during his January visit to Cuba.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"These are specific cases where Canada could obtain the freedom of individuals by
allowing those persons to come to Canada," said Minister Axworthy. "We are able
to take this humanitarian action because of Canada's policy of constructive
engagement with Cuba, and the framework for co-operation laid out in the January
1997 Canada-Cuba Joint Declaration."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In February, in response to a list of political and common prisoners presented by
the Vatican, Cuban authorities agreed that some 300 prisoners would be released.
Over 100 political prisoners were identified in this total. On February 26, Prime
Minister Jean Chrétien indicated that Canada was prepared to take up to 19
prisoners who would not otherwise have been released, subject to standard medical
and security checks. Among them, 11 prisoners successfully passed the checks, 3
have been accepted under ministerial permits and 5 others will not be admitted to
Canada, due to the nature of the acts for which they are in prison.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Accepting these Cuban prisoners falls well within Canada's traditional
humanitarian objectives, whether it is working for their freedom or accepting
them in Canada with their immediate families," said Minister Robillard. As for
those whom Canada had to refuse, the Minister said that it was only with the
greatest care and compassion that each decision was taken, keeping in mind
responsibility for the safety and health of Canadians, and Canada's obligations
under international treaties.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Each of the Cuban prisoners involved has verified independently his or her desire
to leave for Canada.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">A backgrounder listing the prisoners scheduled to arrive in Canada tonight is
attached.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Eric Tetrault</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Press Secretary</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 791-3513</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 953-1064</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">René Mercier</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Public Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Citizenship and Immigration Canada</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 941-7042</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+1">Backgrounder</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+1">CUBAN POLITICAL PRISONERS ACCEPTED IN CANADA </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+1">IN APRIL 1998</font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Jose Antonio RODRIGUEZ Santana</u> (No dependants)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Luis Alberto FERRANDIZ Alfaro</u> (Spouse and three children)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Alberto Joaquin AGUILERA Guevara</u> (No dependants)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Edilberto DEL TORO Argota</u> (Spouse and two children)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Raul AYARDE Herrera</u> (Spouse and child may accompany)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Adriano GONZALEZ Marichal</u> (Spouse and two children)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Dr Omar DEL POZO Marrero</u> (<em>Speaks English and French</em>) (Spouse and child)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Victor Reynaldo INFANTE Estrada</u> (<em>Speaks English</em>) (No dependants)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u></u></font><font face="Courier"><u>Armando ALONSO Romero</u> (<em>Speaks English</em>) (No accompanying dependants)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Rene PORTELLES Hernandez</u> (Spouse and child)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Marcos Antonio HERNANDEZ Garcia</u> (Accompanied by daughter)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Pedro Marcelino DE LA ROSA Guerra</u> (No accompanying dependants)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Pedro Salvador BENITO Rodriguez</u> (Spouse and four children may accompany)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><u>Rosalina GONZALEZ Lafita</u> (No accompanying dependants)</font></p>
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