RANSOM “MONSTROUS”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29800, 17 April 1962, Page 15

RANSOM “MONSTROUS”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, April 15. Dr. Fidel Castro’s ransom demand for Cuban prisoners was "the most monstrous thing that one could think of,” the United States Under Secretary of State (Mr George Ball) said last night He said the move was prompted by the Cuban Prime Minister’s critical need for hard currency for Cuba’s economy, United Press International reported. Mr Ball said the United States Government had reacted with "shock and a sense of horror,” when Dr. Castro put a total ransom

price of 62 million dollars on persons captured during the abortive Cuban invasion last year. Mr Ball, who appeared on a television programme, was asked what money-raising scheme Dr. Castro might come up with next. He replied: “Any man who would sell human beings would sell anything.” Mr Ball said all the United States Government could do was to promote anti-Castro feeling in other Latin American countries. Return To Families Meanwhile. 60 ransomed Cubans spent their first day with their families in almost ja year today while their

fellow exiles in Miami planned “he release of about 1100 others still in Cuban prisons. The 60 veterans of the attempted invasion of Cuba arrived at Miami Airport yesterday to be greeted by about 20,000 Cuban refugees and family members. Mr Enrique Llaca. head of the four-member negotiating committee which obtained the prisoners' release, appeared optimistic today about the release of the other invasion prisoners He quoted Dr. Castro as saying that “within four months all of the prisoners will be back in the United States." United Press International .reported.