c The Associated Press
July 28
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department assured Cuban authorities Tuesday that it takes seriously any allegation of terrorist activity carried out against Cuba from U.S. territory.
Spokesman James P. Rubin commented after President Fidel Castro asked President Clinton in a speech to halt such attacks against his country.
At the same time, Rubin said Castro would be well-advised ``to focus a little bit more on the needs of his people and the denial of democracy than always trying to find some outside group to blame the problem on.''
Castro's remarks were prompted by recent news accounts linking the Cuban-American National Foundation to terrorist activities against Cuba. He called the foundation a ``terrorist institution.'' The Miami-based organization denied the allegations and insisted that it seeks change in Cuba only through peaceful means.
Rubin said Castro was trying to cast aspersions on the foundation. ``It's traditional for Fidel Castro, when going through an explanation of the failures of his country, to point blame somewhere else instead of taking responsibility for the difficulties that he's caused on the people of Cuba,'' the spokesman said.
Rubin added that the United States is committed ``to investigate credible allegations of terrorists acts against any country, including Cuba, supported by groups or individuals in the United States.''
``Federal law enforcement authorities have and will continue to carry out investigations,'' he said. He added that he could not discuss details of law enforcement matters.
AP-NY-07-28-98 1514EDT
Copyright 1998 The Associated Press.