From: Frank Scofi <fscofi@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Cuba Caravan Crosses Border
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: ?
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 22:10:52 GMT

THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE BERGEN RECORD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER
21, 1992 ON PAGE A7. THE RECORD IS THE LARGEST DAILY IN CONGRESSMAN
ROBERT TORRICELLI'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. THE BERGEN RECORD HAD
NOT COVERED THE CARAVAN SEND OFF IN NJ, WHICH OCCURRED IN FRONT OF
CONGRESSMAN TORRICELLI'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OFFICE IN
HACKENSACK, NJ. OVER 100 PEOPLE HAD ATTENDED THE  NJ SEND-OFF ON
NOV. 7TH.

"Demarest Cleric Freed in Bid to Aid Cuba"

>From staff and news service reports

       LAREDO, Texas -- Federal agents Friday let a relief convoy
led my a Demarest Minister, seeking to aid Cuba, cross into Mexico
after a scuffle and standoff at the border.

       The 44 vehicle caravan, carrying medical and school
supplies, food, Bibles, and other goods began rolling into Mexico
about 6:45 p.m. after working out an agreement with Treasury
officials.

       Under a long standing U.S. embargo against Cuba's Communist
government, a permit is required to move goods into or out of the
country.

      Before the agreement was reached, three people, including the
Rev. Lucius Walker of Demarest (NJ), were arrested as the
approximately 50 member group was met by federal customs, Treasury,
and border agents. A member of the group said Walker was later
released.                                                         
                                                              
Walker established Pastors for Peace in 1988. He heads the
Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization, a non-profit
ecumenical group based in Brooklyn, where he is Pastor of the First
Salvation Baptist Church. 

     In 1988, Walker was shot by Contras during a fact finding trip
to Nicaragua. A year later he organized a 30 truck convoy to take
medical supplies, building materials and other goods to Nicaragua.

     The group says the embargo against Cuba is outdated with the
demise of the Soviet Union. It had vowed to take the 16 tons of
donated supplies, including powdered milk and bicycles, to Cuba
without the required permit.

     The activists were blocked at the bridge by agents who
scuffled over possession of the goods.

     The Treasury Department later authorized the shipment for
delivery, even thought the group didn't apply for a license, said
Leonard Lindheim, a Customs Agent.

     "Our position is that to enter into a licensing agreement with
the Federal Government will legitimize the embargo, which we
oppose," Walker said.




END OF ARTICLE



FOR UP TO THE HOUR REPORTS ON CARAVAN PROGRESS CALL THE CARAVAN
HOTLINE AT 510-273-9199.

PASTORS FOR PEACE OFFICE IN MINNEAPOLIS:
Laurie Port
612-378-0062
FAX 612-378-0134

INTERRELIGIOUS FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION IN NY:
Ellen Bernstein
212-926-5757
FAX 212-926-5842

Obviously all the calls to the Office of Foreign Asset Controls,
Mr. Richard Newcomb 202-622-2510, FAX 202-622-1657, and calls to
the State Department had an impact. However we have to remember the
Caravan still has to return to the United States (with or without
Cuban goods still unknown) unharrassed, and we need to make sure
the media stays on the story of the Caravan in Cuba, as well as the
International reaction to the Caravan, the question of the blockade
brought before the UN by Cuba, the re-crossing the border, and the
returning to their home bases, etc. Also, although the Caravan
crossing is a big victory it is still not totally clear what
precedents have been set and what as yet it all means. We should
feel elated about the crossing, but also realize there is still
alot of work to do.


Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive