December 8, 1997

FROM:

The Republic of Cuba Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Havana

TO:

The Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Copenhagen

The Republic of Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs greets the Royal

Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has the honor of answering your

verbal note, reference number (StF. 1) 35.M.1997-10, from August 1, 1997

concerning the regrettable incident which took the life of Joachim Ogner

Lovschall.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs must express surprise that the

tone of the verbal note is not in harmony with the constructive and

unanswered communication, which constantly has characterized the

conversations with H.E. Martin Kofod and the Danish Ministry of Foreign

Affairs.

>From the beginning it has been clear, that the cause of the regrettable

incident was Mr. Lovschall's invasion of a forbidden area, which has

been classified by the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces,

as extremely sensitive military grounds, and which has guards assigned

to defend it. The sidewalk lies within this forbidden area, which is

also marked by signs.

It is clear that the Cuban authorities, from the beginning, have shown

great openness in the matter and have ordered all facilities, together

with the investigative reports of competent researchers and experts, to

be at the disposal of the Danish authorities.

It must be remembered that Mr. Lovschall, in the course of events,

ignored both of the guard's loud shouts of warning and the warning shot

fired by one guard.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign affairs wishes to clarify that the bullets

were not fired singly, but in an unfortunate volley, which was the

result of an inappropriate handling of the weapon. It was not the

guard's intention to kill, but to prevent a presumed act of aggression.

The guard's actions, which were aimed at stopping the invader from

continuing further and which also took this life, were in accordance

with valid laws and regulations.

Other conditions contributed to this regrettable development, including

that the incident took place late at night, and Mr. Lovschall's

intoxication, which has since been established. These conditions prevent

the matter from being treated in a general manner, but must be regarded

as one individual case.

The Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces believes, as do the

Danish authorities, that this regrettable incident could have been

avoided, if the above-mentioned factors had not played into the matter.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs must communicate to the Danish

authorities that the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces,

after an analysis and evaluation of the matter and because of this

matter, has instituted measures to improve the Cuban Ministry's security

system, as well as remove the factors which gave rise to the incident.

The Republic of Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes once more to

assure the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Cuban authorities'

desire to continue to exchange viewpoints in this matter, inasmuch as it

is judged necessary, by direct contact between official representatives

from our two countries and through the usual diplomatic channels.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes once again, on behalf of

the Cuban authorities, to express their sympathy to Mr. Lovschall's

family in this regrettable matter.

The Republic of Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures the Royal

Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs of its highest regard.