Reply #44: Here's more on the Cuban American National Foundation attack

[Judi Lynn]

on former head of the U.S. Interest Section in Cuba:

(snip) The Center for International Policy stands fully behind Wayne Smith in his ongoing legal battle with the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF). The CANF claims a statement made by Dr. Smith in a 1992 documentary entitled "Campaign for Cuba" defamed them. Smith says his statement was accurate and based on the previous research and writings of others. What this is really about, however, is an effort on the part of the CANF to silence Smith, long regarded by them as one of their strongest critics. As evidence of this, the CANF is not suing PBS or the producers of the documentary, both of whom verified Smith's statement and made the decision to put the documentary on the air. Indeed, a CANF officer, Mr. Jose R. Cardenas, stated to the documentary's executive producer, Dr. Churchill Roberts, when the two met at a conference in 1993 and the latter asked about the CANF's threats to sue, "don't worry; Wayne Smith is the one we are after. We have no intention of suing you." (Note: The Center has Dr. Robert's affidavit to that effect.)

Even so, CANF Chairman Jorge Mas Canosa's ultimate target is the press itself. Speaking just after a Miami jury on August 9 found in favor of the CANF, Mr. Mas described the jury's decision as "a defeat for the liberal press, which over many years has given legitimacy to the regime of Fidel Castro." (Mr. Mas' usual contention is that anyone who criticizes him is on Castro's side.) "The message of the verdict was clear," Mas went on: "They cannot go on defaming the exile community and the Foundation....The will of God has prevailed rather than that of men."

Mas vowed to continue a lawsuit against The New Republic and then possibly to initiate proceedings against The Miami Herald. Indeed, he said, he suspected there were "serious links" between the two publications.

The CANF's suit against Wayne Smith, then, is part and parcel with its attacks on The Miami Herald, which Mas says is communist in orientation, and on various other publications. It is part of its efforts to deny freedom of expression to those who disagree with CANF. (snip/...)

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Even though Miami lost an enormous @$$#### when Jorge Mas Canosa died, they STILL have an endless supply total @$$####$.