WASHINGTON -- (AFP) -- The U.S. government on Tuesday sharply
rejected an
accusation that it is not abiding by the migration accords it
signed with Cuba in
1994-95. The charge was made by the Cuban Communist Party daily
Granma.
``We are, in a vigilant and vigorous manner, complying with and
respecting the
terms of our immigration accords with Cuba,'' State Department
spokesman
James Foley said.
Granma said Tuesday that the United States complies with the delivery
of at least
20,000 visas a year for Cubans who are qualified to migrate to
this country but
does not meet its obligation to return to the island all Cubans
detained while
trying to enter the United States illegally.
``The United States has been unable or unwilling to meet its commitments,''
the
newspaper said. While the United States ``complies less and less
with the
essential aspects of the migratory accords . . . Cuba has rigorously
met each and
every one of its commitments.''
In addition, Granma said, the United States fails to vigorously
pursue those in
Miami who organize and finance the illegal smuggling of Cubans.
Foley said the U.S. Interests Section in Havana hands out 20,000
visas a year
``to permit a legal, safe and orderly immigration'' and that
the Coast Guard
``patrols [our shores] vigorously and tries to prevent the dangerous
illegal
immigration and smuggling of immigrants.''
``This is something that we take very seriously. We believe that
these accords
are working and are trying to enforce them,'' he said.
Foley warned that no one should take Granma's editorial as an
invitation to leap
into the sea and try to enter the U.S. illegally.
``No one should think that a green light is on,'' he said, adding
that ``the Coast
Guard continues to enforce our laws.''
Meanwhile, 14 Cubans arrived Tuesday on Marathon, bringing to
123 the number
of Cubans who have stepped on U.S. soil in the past 14 days.
The new arrivals
said they had ventured out Sunday on a wooden raft and crossed
the Florida
Straits in one day.
Copyright 2000 Miami Herald