THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 12, 1994 TAG: 9409120066
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST
DATELINE: COJIMAR, CUBA LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Cuban police began cracking down Sunday on would-be emigrants working furiously to launch rafts ahead of a Tuesday government deadline, after which no departures by sea are to be allowed.
An Interior Ministry police captain patrolling this popular beachfront Sunday morning said he was under orders to ``persuade'' rafters not to leave. He added, however, that police were not instructed to interfere with the departures of any rafts already waiting at the beach.
Cuba is responding to an accord signed Friday with the United States calling on President Fidel Castro to halt an exodus of rafters that has flooded U.S. detention centers with nearly 30,000 migrants. In exchange, Washington agreed to assure that the influx of legal Cuban migrants will rise from the current 2,700 per year to 20,000.
State-run television said that in compliance with the accord, police would immediately begin confiscating any vehicles used to transport rafts to the seashore and that drivers would be arrested.
Scores of police were visible patroling Havana's seafront Malecon Boulevard, while checkpoints were established on key highways leading to beaches.
At several of the most popular launching points here in Cojimar, about five miles east of Havana, activity had significantly diminished Sunday in comparison with a packed beachfront Friday and Saturday.
Police in olive-green uniforms, carrying sidearms and clubs, stood at various points observing the activity. Onlookers, tourists and supply vendors stayed away, in contrast to the scene here a week ago when hundreds of observers crowded the beaches and cheered each launch.
``The Gestapo passed through here early this morning,'' said Ramon, a Cojimar resident who sold an inner-tube raft for $200. ``They told everyone they would have better chances (applying for immigrant visas) at the U.S. Interests Section.''
On Saturday, residents here said, the Cuban government dispatched students, factory workers and other government employees to circulate among rafters at the beach to urge them not to leave.
Whereas on previous days anti-government rhetoric was heard everywhere, the small gathering of onlookers and rafters Sunday seemed reticent in the presence of police.
``The rocks have ears. The rafts have ears. Today is not a good day to believe what you hear,'' cautioned a man who would identify himself only as Carlos.
The police captain, who would not give his name, said his officers have been told to fire on anyone who makes threatening moves toward police enforcing the ban on rafters. Previously rafters have said violence would erupt if police attempted to interfere. ILLUSTRATION: Staff graphic
CubaWatch Sunday
Refugees picked up as of 6 p.m. Sunday
For copy of graphic, see microfilm.
KEYWORDS: CUBA REFUGEES by CNB