U.S. blocks visit by minister from Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

February 09, 2004

U.S. blocks visit by minister from Cuba


MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — U.S. officials have blocked a Cuban minister from coming to America to speak at several Alabama churches for Black History Month, denying the pastor a visa.

The Rev. Raul Suarez of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Havana canceled his trip this month.

State Department officials declined to comment on the Suarez application, citing confidentiality rules. Officials at the U.S. Interests Section, the American Mission in Havana, also declined to comment.

"Our policy is that we do not comment on individual cases," said Brenda Greenberg, a State Department spokeswoman. "It's a privacy issue."
(snip/...)

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040209-120249-8159r.htm

"It's a privacy issue."
What U.S. government issue should be PRIVATE?

[Judi Lynn]

1. This article says Sen. Lincoln Chafee has tried to get him here, too

U.S. denies visa to peace activist from Cuba
Despite appeals by Sen. Lincoln Chafee and other members of Congress, the Rev. Raul Suarez will not be allowed to speak at the University of Rhode Island on multiculturalism.

01:00 AM EST on Saturday, February 7, 2004

BY JENNIFER D. JORDAN
Journal Staff Writer


A Baptist minister and peace activist from Cuba who was scheduled to speak at the University of Rhode Island on Tuesday has been denied a visa and cannot enter the country, according to the U.S. State Department.

The decision -- which follows President Bush's recent crackdown on Cuban visitors and heightened security measures -- drew criticism from local civil-rights leaders, who said a pastor preaching nonviolence should be welcomed, not shut out.

The Rev. Raul Suarez, who runs the Martin Luther King Memorial Center and is pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Havana, said in a phone interview yesterday that he has traveled to the United States about 20 times since 1980 to speak to church groups and at universities. Mr. Suarez, 69, is also an elected member of the Cuban Popular National Assembly, but says he is not a member of the Communist Party.

Yet, for the third time since 2001, Mr. Suarez said his U.S. visa application has been denied, despite letters from Sen. Lincoln Chafee and a group of 11 members of Congress asking the State Department to let Mr. Suarez come next week. He was also scheduled to speak at Black History Month events in Mobile, Ala., and Boston.
(snip/...)

http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20040207_visa7.21e711.html
(It's possible this is a free registration only site)

[Mika]

2. Incredible hypocrisy

If Cubans who defy the American held stereotypes of Cubans apply for a legal visa (pastors of Baptist Churches and other religious leadership from Cuba and globally successful musicians, etc), they are denied. Barely a peep from DUers.

If Cubans who attempt to illegally enter the US who have failed a legal US immigration application (and who recklessly endanger small children on leaky car/truck rafts) and are caught at sea, then they have this admin pushing for their entry into the USA. With plenty of DUers support.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=350908

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=346436

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=31230&mesg_id=31230

[Judi Lynn]

3. Mika, thanks for linking that thread from their first try, in July!

Very nice being able to see the larger picture through reading about their first sojourn.

It's also good for newcomers to the subject to note they went back, got their new plan, and didn't get thrown in the slammer, contrary to what the propagandists would hope everyone would expect.

[Just Me]

4. Blocking a Baptist minister and peace activist, SAYS IT ALL,...

,...this administration has only one compulsion; POWER. It holds no compassion, no fairness, no concern, no support for "democracy" (which is based upon what THE PEOPLE WANT), no FAITH, no value for human life!!! It's only evil self-serving pursuit is POWER!!!

[Mika]

5. He shoulda tried illegal entry on Chevy or Buick raft w/kids

Then he would get plenty of support from this admin & Americans for entry into the USA.