13 november 2005

Danielle Mitterrand Calls for Freedom for Cuban 5


Danielle Mitterrand Calls for Freedom for Cuban 5 Havana, Nov 11 (Prensa Latina)


Danielle Mitterrand, renowned French political and social figure, joined her name to other world personalities to demand the immediate release of five Cubans unfairly imprisoned in the US since 1998 for fighting terrorism.

Widow of the late President Francois Mitterrand, Danielle signed the document sent to US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez with signatures of over 5,000 international writers, artists, academics, political leaders and social activists.

Mitterrand also issued exclusive statements to Colombian journalist Hernando Calvo Ospina, condemning the US policy. "I'm against neither the US nor its people, but I'm opposed to the administration ruling that country," said Mitterrand. "During my life after World War II, I have seen how the US government has trampled poor countries' freedom and democracy," Mitterrand stressed.

Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez, universally known as the Cuban Five, were arrested in Miami while gathering information about terrorist plotsby Cuban-American organizations in Florida.

These men are currently serving harsh sentences ranging from 15 years to double life imprisonment in the US. On August 9, three judges of the US Court of Appeals 11th Circuit in Atlanta reversed their convictions and are now pending appeals by their defense team.