By Anita Snow
Associated Press Writer

HAVANA –– Works by Martin Luther King Jr., John Steinbeck and Groucho Marx were among 5,101 books seized by Cuban authorities after being shipped in
by the U.S. government, America's top diplomat in Havana said Thursday.

American diplomats were told it was a "firm decision by the government" not to allow the books into the communist-run country for distribution to dissident groups,
including independent libraries, U.S. Interests Section Chief James Cason said.

"They said it wasn't the books, but who we were going to give them to," he told a small group of international reporters. He said the American mission has imported
similar books in the past.

Rafael Dausa, North America Director in Cuba's Foreign Ministry, was not available for comment Thursday.

The Cuban government takes exception to, but largely tolerates, the scores of independent libraries now operating across the island. However, it resents their
contacts with American officials.

The $68,770.41 shipment seized recently remains in the control of Cuban customs officials, Cason said. American officials said they would happily pay duties on the
books, but were told that was not an option.

"It's fear of losing political control," said Cason, who arrived in Havana five months ago. "That's how Groucho Marx ... can suddenly become a subversive."

Cason showed a waybill for the shipment, which listed Spanish translations of books including "Who Moved by Cheese," by Spencer Johnson, journalism textbooks,
Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath," and speeches by the late civil rights leader King.

Other books included "Democracy and Market System," by Charles E. Lindblom, and "International Human Rights in a Nutshell," by Thomas Buergenthal.

Cason made a high-profile appearance earlier this week — and even spoke with the foreign media — during a meeting of opposition groups at the home of
well-known dissident Marta Beatriz Roque.

Senior U.S. officials said later that American diplomats regularly visit with Cuban dissidents at their homes. Cason in particular has made a point of getting to know
the dissidents in his first few months here.

Dissidents also visit the American mission, where they are given free Internet access.

Cason denied the Cuban government's charges that the mission provides financial support to dissidents.

"We don't give out cash to the opposition," he said. "We provide information materials from the United States. What we do here is logistics."

                                                  © 2003 The Associated Press