• The Cuban Adjustment Act, the chief stimulus for illegal person
                   trafficking, continues to prevent the fulfillment of signed agreements

                   THE illegal trafficking of persons was the central theme of the
                   17th round of migratory talks between Cuba and the United
                   States, which ended without an accord, due to discrepancies
                   between the two parties. Nevertheless, the delegation
                   representatives explained afterwards, a respectful and honest
                   environment prevailed.

                   Ricardo Alarcón, president of the National Assembly, headed
                   the Cuban representation, while the United States was
                   represented by James Carragher, coordinator of the Cuban
                   Affairs Office at the State Department.

                   "We are at the same point as we were six months ago. We
                   have not advanced even one millimeter. All we did was to
                   review the agreements and confirm divergent points of view,"
                   Alarcón declared.

                   Washington and Havana created guidelines for bilateral
                   relations starting September 9, 1994, with the signing of an
                   important agreement setting out a commitment to halt the
                   existing migratory crisis.

                   It was established then that the only way to emigrate to the
                   United States would be through legal procedures, and that
                   both countries would be obliged to cooperate in taking
                   effective and opportune action to prevent the illicit trafficking
                   of persons.

                   Alarcón reiterated that the primary obstacle in terms of the
                   due fulfillment of the agreement is the Cuban Adjustment
                   Act, which continues to stimulate illegal exits and person
                   trafficking.

                   According to this measure, any Cuban arriving in U.S.
                   territory, by any means whatsoever, will automatically receive
                   economic benefits, as well as the right to reside in the United
                   States.

                   Carragher, however, refused to recognize this precedent but,
                   on the contrary, stated that all the migratory talks sustained
                   with Cuba had been successful, particularly the present one,
                   which discussed variants for discouraging illegal immigration.
                   He insisted that the meeting was of a technical nature,
                   necessary for future exchanges.

                   On November 17, an overloaded vessel with 30 people aboard
                   sunk in the Florida Straits. The death of 13 children as a
                   result was profoundly felt by the Cuban people, who are
                   demanding an end to illegal exits encouraged by the Cuban
                   Adjustment Act.

                   Although the Cuban government acknowledges that the other
                   side has met its quota of 20,000 annual visas, it also
                   believes that Washington is indirectly promoting illegal exits
                   by maintaining the special benefits granted to Cubans in
                   1966.

                   The Cuban Adjustment Act "literally contradicts the first
                   paragraph of the initial 1994 agreement, in which they made
                   a commitment not to continue admitting everyone who
                   arrives," Alarcón emphasized at the end of this latest round of
                   talks.

                                                                           • M.V.R.