.c The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) - An American who claims he went to Cuba to distribute food and bibles will stand trial this week on charges he plotted attacks against the government.
The trial of Walter Van der Veer begins Thursday, his U.S. attorney, Ellis Rubin, said Tuesday.
Van der Veer, 52, was arrested in August 1996 and charged with crimes against state security: gathering materials for Molotov cocktails and plotting attacks against police and tourists.
If convicted, he could face execution. Cuban prosecutors said earlier this month they would seek the death penalty. But privately, government officials said they don't believe Van der Veer will be sentenced to death.
Rubin, speaking from Miami, said he has not yet received permission to attend the trial, although the Mexican news agency Notimex reported several U.S. attorneys will be allowed to attend as observers.
The attorneys can watch the trial but will not be permitted to participate. A court-appointed Cuban lawyer represents Van der Veer.
Van der Veer has denied plotting the attacks and claims he came to Cuba to donate aid on behalf of a Coral Gables, Fla., church.
"He was dedicated to helping the people of Cuba,'' Rubin told The Associated Press last month. "He went to Cuba to hand out food, toys and bibles.''
According to Notimex, prosecutors say Van der Veer wanted to create an anti-government uprising in the western province of Pinar del Rio and kill President Fidel Castro.
Officials claim he distributed anti-government leaflets during a visit to Havana in February and March 1996 and that he was carrying a commando knife and U.S. military garb when arrested in August 1996, Notimex reported.
The Florida-based Comandos L, a militant anti-Castro, anti-communist group that has staged several small raids on Cuban targets, has said that Van der Veer was a member.
The trial comes at a time when Cuba is blaming U.S.-based exile groups of planning and financing a series of small hotel bombings meant to scare off tourists.
Cuban authorities in September arrested a Salvadoran who made a televised confession to the bombings, one of which killed an Italian businessman. There is still no word on when his trial will take place.
Rubin said Van der Veer wrote him a letter saying he is prepared to die.
AP-NY-11-04-97 1823EST