BY ELAINE DE VALLE

 Several longtime board members of the Cuban American National Foundation who publicly resigned over differences with the current leadership announced Tuesday the creation of a new exile organization to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba.

 The objective of the new group is ``to continue the efforts and commitment of a dedicated group of individuals who for many years have worked to promote liberty and democracy for Cuba,'' according to a press release issued late Tuesday.

 Its name, principals, short-term and long-term objectives as well as the names of the four directors were to be announced today at a press conference in Coral Gables.

 Although some of the ex-CANF members reached Tuesday would not identify the group by name, a nonprofit called the Cuban Liberty Council filed with the Florida Division of Corporations on Aug. 22. That was two weeks after 20 board members resigned from the foundation, citing differences with its leadership's guidance and the expenditure of resources.

 Among the founders of the new group are some of the foundation's most prominent former members, most of whom were close to founder Jorge Mas Canosa before he died in 1997.

 They included onetime CANF Chairman Alberto Hernandez; former Treasurer Feliciano Foyo; Horacio García; Diego Suárez; Ignacio Sánchez; Luis Zuñiga; and radio host Ninoska Pérez Castellón, who ran the foundation's shortwave radio broadcasts until she resigned in July.

 The departure of Pérez and her husband, Roberto Martín Pérez, a board member and former political prisoner, was followed within weeks by the public resignation of the other 20 members who said they disagreed with CANF Chairman Jorge Mas Santos' move to woo the Latin Grammy awards -- which they found incompatible with the foundation's mission of bringing liberty to Cuba -- and what they called the founder's son's ``dictatorial style'' in decision-making.

 Reached on Tuesday, neither Zuñiga nor Pérez Castellón would comment on the group. There will be a press conference at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables this
 morning. But other sources said the organization had an internal electoral process to name leaders.

 According to the state incorporation papers, García is named as the president, Hernandez and Suarez are vice presidents, Foyo is the treasurer, and Sanchez is the
 secretary.

 Zuñiga is listed as the group's registered agent. The address is 465 W. Park Dr., No. 9., in the Fountainebleau area of West Miami-Dade.

 Word of the new group was received with measured optimism by foundation Executive Director Joe Garcia, who said he hoped the council's agenda would concentrate on the cause.

 ``All who struggle for the liberty of Cuba are welcome,'' Garcia said. ``There are 173 exile groups; 174 is welcome. Everybody who puts time, money and effort in trying to bring about democracy and peace to the people of Cuba is welcome.''

 He added that he hopes the group will be serious-minded in its efforts and not based on attacks at the foundation and its leadership.

 Santos could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. But he has said in the past that he does not regret taking pragmatic steps to further the cause of Cuba. Garcia said Tuesday night that the foundation had not wavered in its main mission.

                                    © 2001