Distributed by The Cuba Free Press Project.

Miami, Florida, February 25, 1998, SIP

THE INTER AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION APPOINTS CUBAN INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST AS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

MIAMI (February 25, 1998). - The Inter American Press Association appointed Cuban independent journalist, Raul Rivero, as Regional Vice President for Cuba to its Commission on Freedom of the Press and Information. He is a part of Letter from Cuba, affiliated to IAPA since its last assembly.

Rivero is one of the pioneers of the independent press journalism in Cuba, where he founded independent press agency Cuba Press. He is a graduate of the Journalism Faculty in Havana, was one of the founders of culture oriented magazine Caiman Barbudo, a correspondent for Prensa Latina agency to Moscow and co-signer of the Letters from the Ten, a document which demanded the release of prisoners of conscience, which marked his final break from the Cuban government. He's a member of the board of Letter from Cuba, a publication originating from Puerto Rico. The journalist is also known for his poetry.

Due to its special situation, Cuba will be the only country within IAPA with two regional vice-presidencies; the regional vice-president in residence and a regional vice-president abroad. The Executive Committee of IAPA unanimously decided last January 23, during a meeting in Miami, to appoint Rivero to this position. Roberto Fabricio of El Nuevo Herald in Miami will hold the position abroad. Both men will be responsible to report on Cuba from within the island and abroad, on all the topics concerning the press in Cuba.

The Inter American Press Association, Oliver Clarke, editor of the Jamaican daily The Daily Gleaner and president of the Commission on Freedom of the Press and Information, Danilo Arbilla, director of the Uruguayan weekly Busqueda, addressed a brief document to Rivero explaining that "due tot he special characteristics found in Cuba at this time, the IAPA is convinced that now it is possible for a dual regional vice-presidency, counting on him as a resident in Cuba and with Roberto Fabricio, as resident abroad, with the objective of better able to defend and promote the necessary freedom of the press, as an indispensible requirement to achieving a real democratic and participative system in Cuba".

"As you well know - continues the document - IAPA has always denounced, protested, and struggled against all violations of freedom of expression and the press in your country, from its early beginnings more than 50 years ago, as well as in this last stage where a new force of independent journalism has surfaced in spite of the pressures, reprisals, and harassment".

Upon his acceptance of the vice-presidency of the Commission on Freedom of the Press, Rivero stated via a phone conversation that: "this appointment will help the independent press movement in the island and the overall situation of freedom of the press in Cuba". He added that: "this situation will help the new generation of journalists in the island who don't know what journalism is outside of State controls".

Clarke and Arbilla pointed out the credentials held by Rivero as an independent journalist, his truthfulness and professionalism, as well as, Fabricio's support from abroad: "provide us with the confidence necessary for us to continue our work and struggle for freedom of the press in Cuba".

According to the information compiled by IAPA, from October, 1996 to October, 1997, the restrictions against independent press agencies and journalists intensificed in Cuba, recording 71 cases ranging from surveillance, ransacking, harassment, materials confiscated, and arrests.