APRIL 6, 1999
.c The Associated Press, April 5
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Nine Cuban exile organizations asked Pope John Paul II on Monday to intercede on behalf of journalists in Cuba allegedly being harassed by the government.
Gregorio T. Diaz, director of the Puerto Rico-based Christian Democratic Party of Cuba, said the groups has sent a letter to the pontiff concerning a new law that the Cuban government said aims to punish citizens who support U.S. sanctions against Cuba.
The exile organizations said the Cuban government is using the law to punish journalists who report facts that President Fidel Castro does not want the world to know.
During a groundbreaking visit to Cuba in January 1998, John Paul appealed for the release of prisoners of conscience. Soon afterwards, Cuba released several dozen political prisoners.
Cuba's ``Protection of Independence and the Economy Law'' imposes heavy penalties on those who work with the foreign press to promote the U.S. embargo or efforts to change Cuba's political system.
AP-NY-04-05-99 1820EDT
Copyright 1999 The Associated Press
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