April 20, 2000

The Honorable Madeleine Albright
U.S. Secretary of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madam Secretary:

I do hope that you will respond vigorously to the recent unprovoked physical attack by so-called Cuban diplomats on peaceful protestors at the Cuban Interests Section at 2630 16th Street, N.W. in Washington on the evening of Friday, April 14.

According to first-hand reports made to the Foreign Relations Committee staff, as well as the police report filed by uniformed U.S. Secret Service officers at the scene of the crime, at about 7:30 p.m. at least 10 men rushed from inside the Cuban mission and began beating the women and men holding a peaceful prayer vigil in behalf of Elian Gonzalez.

One woman was picked up and thrown to the ground; another woman was tossed onto the pavement.  Victims were beaten with flag poles that the Cuban attackers had ripped from the victims' hands.  Several victims sought medical treatment for their injuries and at least 10 filed complaints with the police.

According to witnesses, the attackers relented only after two U.S. Secret Service officers beat them back with batons.

Madam Secretary, this sort of savage behavior is "just another day at the office" for Castro's police in Havana.  But, when it happens on the streets of our nation's capital, it is outrageous and intolerable, and I urge that you respond forthwith.

The evidence being as it is, I suggest that the presence of male employees of the Cuban Interests Section be requested for possible identification by their victims.

(One of the attackers dropped six business cards bearing the name "Armando Collazo," who is the second-ranking officer in the Cuban mission.)  Once the perpetrators are identified, I feel that you should insist that the Cubans' diplomatic immunity be waived so that individuals may be prosecuted on aggravated assault charges where indicated by evidence.

If the Cuban government refuses, as it probably will, to help identify and punish the perpetrators, I strongly suggest that you follow the very clear precedent set following a similar attack by Cuban thugs in 1995 by expelling those personnel suspected in the attack.

Please have someone advise me when you plan such action.

Sincerely,

Jesse Helms