April 17, 2000

The Honorable Louis Freeh
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, DC.

Dear Director Freeh:

It has come to my attention based on information provided to me by the affected parties that on Friday, April 14th_, at approximately 7:45 p.m., 20 Cuban nationals allegedly attacked a group of U.S. citizens holding a vigil/demonstration in front of the Cuban Interests Section located at 2630 16th Street, N.W. On behalf of the demonstrators, I ask your cooperation in directing the appropriate personnel at the Bureau to review this incident and take the necessary steps within all applicable rules and guidelines to address this matter.

According to eyewitness accounts and testimony from the victims, a group of 20 men opened the car entrance gate of the Cuban Interests Section and physically assaulted the demonstrators, injuring several of them, including women and elderly. Upon seeing this development, I have been informed that agents from the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division rushed to the scene, prompting the 20 Cuban officials to retreat into the Interests Section.

Dining the incident, one of the attackers dropped his business cards identifying him as: Armando Collazo, First Secretary, and Consular Affairs at the Cuban Interests Section.

The Washington Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified and an initial report was filed with a Special Agent. The demonstrators who were allegedly attacked subsequently filed reports with the FBI and separate reports with agents from the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division at the site.

I appreciate your assistance and cooperation in this matter. A similar letter has been sent to Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, for a coordinated review of and response to this incident.

Sincerely,

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen