April 6, 1998 No. 87

CUBAN POLITICAL PRISONERS ARRIVE IN CANADA

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.

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.

"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."

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.

"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.

Each of the Cuban prisoners involved has verified independently his or her desire to leave for Canada.

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A backgrounder listing the prisoners scheduled to arrive in Canada tonight is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Eric Tetrault

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

(613) 791-3513

(613) 953-1064

René Mercier

Public Affairs

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

(613) 941-7042

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Backgrounder

CUBAN POLITICAL PRISONERS ACCEPTED IN CANADA

IN APRIL 1998

Jose Antonio RODRIGUEZ Santana (No dependants)

Luis Alberto FERRANDIZ Alfaro (Spouse and three children)

Alberto Joaquin AGUILERA Guevara (No dependants)

Edilberto DEL TORO Argota (Spouse and two children)

Raul AYARDE Herrera (Spouse and child may accompany)

Adriano GONZALEZ Marichal (Spouse and two children)

Dr Omar DEL POZO Marrero (Speaks English and French) (Spouse and child)

Victor Reynaldo INFANTE Estrada (Speaks English) (No dependants)

Armando ALONSO Romero (Speaks English) (No accompanying dependants)

Rene PORTELLES Hernandez (Spouse and child)

Marcos Antonio HERNANDEZ Garcia (Accompanied by daughter)

Pedro Marcelino DE LA ROSA Guerra (No accompanying dependants)

Pedro Salvador BENITO Rodriguez (Spouse and four children may accompany)

Rosalina GONZALEZ Lafita (No accompanying dependants)