Cuba Calls Downing of Planes ‘Patriotic’
UNITED NATIONS — Cuba defended its downing of two U.S. civilian aircraft as a “patriotic action,” telling the United Nations on Wednesday that the exile group flying the planes planned raids against the Communist state.
Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina told the 185-member U.N. General Assembly that the Miami-based Brothers to the Rescue had plans to dynamite power lines in Havana, sabotage the Cienfuegos oil refinery and carry out attacks on Cuban leaders.
U.S. Ambassador Madeleine Albright brushed aside the Cuban statement, saying it is “preposterous to believe . . . that the young men in those unarmed planes were enemies of the Cuban people. On the contrary, in their love of freedom and of their native land, they exemplified the Cuban people.”
Meanwhile in Washington, the House on Wednesday resoundingly passed legislation intended to increase economic pressure on Cuba, sending the bill to President Clinton and a promised signature.
The 336 to 86 vote occurred little more than 24 hours after the Senate approved the measure by a similarly lopsided margin.
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