Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 22, 2005 Ashland residents in group detained on way to Cuba By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune A nonprofit humanitarian aid group, including six Ashland residents, was held up at the U.S. border with Mexico Thursday on the way to Cuba. The New York City-based Pastors for Peace has made the trek to Cuba to deliver humanitarian aid for the past 12 years, mostly without incident, said Jaine Palmieri, an Ashland resident connected with the group. This time, officials with the U.S. Department of Commerce insisted on inspecting the group’s 140 tons of aid packed in eight buses, Palmieri said. "I think it shows the (U.S.) government apparently is determined to maintain its harsh policies toward Cuba by stopping aid people need," said Mary Ann Jones, another group member from Ashland. Officials with the Department of Commerce could not be reached late Thursday. Advertisement As of early evening Thursday, electronic equipment, including computers, had been confiscated from one bus, Jones said. Other members of the group refused to allow their goods to be inspected, fearing more confiscation. "We don’t want to give up any aid because people contributed it in good faith that we would be contributing it to the Cuban people," Jones said. Federal law prohibits technology from being exported to Cuba, even through a third country, such as Mexico. Licensed goods, such as medicine, medical supplies and food, are allowed. This year’s delivery is particularly urgent because of the recent destruction from Hurricane Dennis, Palmieri said. The trip is also a political statement about the group’s opposition to the decades-long U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. Travelers with the group bucked new regulations that require travelers to obtain licenses before going to the communist country. "Applying for licenses would be endorsing the blockade, which we feel is immoral," Palmieri said. The aid workers could face civil and criminal penalties upon their return from Cuba. Criminal penalties for violators range from 10 years in prison, $250,000 in individual fines and $1 million in corporate fines. Laws prohibit tourist travel but permit limited visits to Cuba by journalists, educators, humanitarian aid workers, religious organizations and people visiting relatives. About 130 U.S. citizens, among them eight Oregonians, began the humanitarian mission last Sunday in McAllen, Texas, where they gathered aid and prepared for the journey. Six of the eight Oregonians are from Ashland, including Palmieri, Jones, Suzi Aufderheide and Ian and Colin Riversong. The Pastors for Peace caravan, including eight buses, a box truck and two small cars, was stopped at the Texas-Mexico border in Hidalgo at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday. At least seven buses were still held up at the border in sweltering heat as of early evening Thursday. The group plans to ship the goods from Mexico and fly to Cuba. The aid will be distributed by the Cuban Council of Churches. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s