News

US Customs seize hospital computers

US customs agents have seized (Jan 31) nearly 300 computers intended to form part of an on-line medical information system linking hospitals, clinics and medical schools throughout Cuba.

The computers were crossing from the US into Mexico, en route to Cuba, on a 30-vehicle convoy organised by the multi- denominational Pastors for Peace organisation.

US Customs agents closed the US-Mexico border crossing to block the vehicles and - with the back-up of 50 police wearing riot gear and shields - smashed their way into the vehicles.

Volunteers from Pastors for Peace, which is well known for its commitment to non-violence, attempted to walk across the border carrying some of the computers.

According to a Pastors’ spokesperson, groups of police attacked the volunteers, arresting 17 people, including two ministers. Several volunteers were injured, and one, knocked unconscious by the police, had to be hospitalised.

Twenty three of the computers had been donated from Canada, which had been cleared for export by Canadian Customs.

The US has for 36 years maintained an economic blockade of Cuba in an attempt to destabilise its government.

‘It is inconceivable that the US government would want to deny modern healthcare to Cuban children and senior citizens,’ said Rev Lucius Walker, director of Pastors for Peace. ‘The seizure of these computers is a shameful page in US history.’

Protests can be faxed to President Clinton at the White House on (00) 202-4562461; or to US Attorney General Janet Reno on: (00) 202-5140467.