NEWS RELEASE
LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART
U. S. Congressman - District 21, Florida
431 Cannon House Office Building, Washington D.C. 20515 (202) 225-4211

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    CONTACT: YANIK FENTON
July 31, 1996     (202) 225-4211   (202) 945-1105

DIAZ-BALART SEEKS CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION ON
NEW BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE QUESTIONS

Washington, D.C. -- Following please find a statement issued today by Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) regarding new information made known by Brothers To The Rescue which raises very serious questions that must be asked of the Administration:

"The facts made known to us by Brothers To The Rescue raise some very serious questions which must be, and will be, asked of the Administration by Congress, I am seeking a Congressional investigation regarding this very serious matter.

These questions go way beyond the weak U.S. response to the act of terrorism over international waters of February 24 - an act of terrorism (the murder of American citizens) that was committed by a known, confessed terrorist.

• Why did the U.S. not protect its civilian aircraft on February 24?
• What is U.S. policy with regard to the Interception of aircraft coming out of communist Cuba?
• Why were U.S. military aircraft not sent to protect the U.S. civilian aircraft that came under attack on that day?
• Why were U.S. military aircraft not sent to protect the U.S. civilian aircraft even after a U.S. Customs radar officer placed an emergency call to the U.S. Air Force 7 minutes before the first U.S. plane was destroyed, 14 minutes before the second aircraft was shot down, 39 minutes before the chase by the Cuban Air Force for the 3rd U.S. plane was finally called off and at least one Cuban MiG had come perilously close to the United States?"