News Release, July 21, 2003

DECISION TO RETURN CUBAN REFUGEES IS CONDEMNABLE

Returning those who the Cuban dictatorship accuses of "hijacking" makes the U.S. complicit in Cuban dictatorship's actions

Washington, DC -- The three Cuban American Congressmen from South Florida, Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) today condemned the U.S. Administration's decision to return to the custody of the Cuban tyranny Cuban refugees who have been accused of "hijacking" by the dictatorship, thus subjecting the refugees to illegal punishment. The Administration says Castro will not punish the refugees with more than 10 years of prison. Accordingly, a sentence of 10 years in Castro's gulag, without due process, is acceptable.

"This action makes the U.S. complicit in the fate of the returned refugees. This act of infamy in coordination with the Cuban  tyranny, is a condemnable monstruosity," said Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

"Castro's Cuba is a place where there are no laws, no independent courts or judicial system and the entire island is at the whim of a tyrannical despot who does what he wishes with every individual on the island. Cuba is a prison, due process is non-existent and to return individuals to Cuba is to hand their fate to the criminal who is Castro!" said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.

"This is an inconceivable act against freedom-seeking refugees. It is totally unacceptable," said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.