that Castro felt that Cuba had not been treated in a fair manner. There is also Castro's personality to consider. He is a man with a temper, a strict authoritarian, and one who could not accept criticism and freedom of thought on the part of others.

Shortly after the take-over of the Government by Fidel Castro the world press gave much coverage to public executions and shootings in Cuba. Castro became angry and did not understand why this criticism was leveled against him. He began "Operation Truth" under which he invited people from other countries to observe political trials and to see the results.

Within the July 26th Movement itself there were several trends. One group was made up of radical leftists such as Raul Castro, Fidel's brother. "Che" Guevara, and others who began to exert more and more influence as time passed. Those of the centrist or liberal persuasion within the movement had less influence on Castro. The extreme leftists and radicals became more influential as Cuba moved on toward communism.

Some of the original leaders of the July 26th Movement and close associates and advisors of Fidel Castro such as Hubert Matos, Manolo Ray, and Faustino Perez, were discharged from their positions within the new revolutionary government, having lost influence with Fidel Castro. The reason for their removal was that their liberal positions were not in keeping with the policies of the Popular Socialist Party (the traditional communist party of Cuba). These men were removed by November, 1959 but Faustino Perez was later "rehabilitated" and resumed his Government status.

In the early days of the Cuban revolutionary Government, the Popular Socialist Party of Cuba was much afraid that Fidel Castro was going to persecute them. Castro had stated publicly that he would not allow any dictatorship of the right or the left. However, as communism gained power, liberal and centrist members of the new Government lost influence. Fidel Castro became persuaded that Cuba had great possibilities within the family of nations of the socialist camp. and that the future of Cuba lay with these countries. As the situation became more radicalized in the Cuban Government defections increased.

In March, 1960, Anastas Mikoyan, Deputy Minister of the Soviet Union, visited Cuba. He made some material offerings to Castro in the field of trade with the Soviet Union. Castro, seeing the possibilities, began to believe that Cuba might well become a nation as prosperous as West Germany which through aid and trade with the United States had become a prosperous country.

Through my personal knowledge of Fidel Castro I can state that he is a total opportunist interested only in power. He will accept aid and assistance from any source so long as it furthers his own programs. Castro has destroyed persons who were of great value to the Cuban nation.

In April, 1961 at the time of the Bay of Pigs invasion, Fidel Castro declared Cuba a socialist nation. In March, 1962 he made a public statement to the effect that he had been a Marxist all his life without having realized it. He said that he now realized that he had believed in Marxist-Leninist programs and tenets for many years.

At the end of the missile crisis of 1962, the main thought among Cuban Government leaders was the destruction of Western Hemisphere democracies by clandestine means. The principal target was to be the United States but this country would be the hardest to attack. In 1965 Fidel Castro saw the U.S. was engaged full time in the Vietnam conflict and took advantage of the situation to develop guerrilla warfare on many different fronts in the Western Hemisphere. He precipitated small wars throughout South America. "Che" Guevara was assigned to head this task. Guevara's mission failed and he was killed in Bolivia in October, 1967. In the period 1964-68 there were ideological differences with the international communist movement which resulted in a separation (almost a "divorce") between Cuba and the Soviet Union which lasted for almost four years. In this period the Soviet Union refused to provide aid, especially petroleum, which Cuba needed badly. Relations between Cuba and Soviet Russia went from bad to worse until the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Fidel Castro seized the opportunity to support the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in order to regain the good graces of the Soviet Union. Among the reasons for the differences between Cuba and the Soviet Union in this four year period were the following, (1) the Soviets opposed the guerrilla activities in Latin America which were being directed by Cuba, and (2) the Soviets during that period gave economic aid to Brazil, Colombia, and other South American countries at the same time Fidel

Castro was trying to destroy the governments of those countries by guerrilla attacks.

From my own knowledge I am aware that communists assumed positions of responsibility in the new Cuban Revolutionary Government by late 1959 or within a matter of months after the Fidel Castro take-over. Communists became holders of positions of power by mid-1960.

I should like to comment on the factors which precipitated my decision to defect from Cuba. Conditions prevailing within Cuba at the time of defection included a series of major failures in the economic life of the country due mostly to actions taken by Cuban Government authorities. There was an ever-increasing denial of individual liberties and the people of my country had become members of an enslaved society. I could foresee this as the only future for my children should I remain in Cuba.

I had analyzed the situation by deep study over a long period of time and was well aware of the misery in Cuba. At the same time I was always hopeful that the revolution would turn to its proper course and direction, that is, to a democracy which would result in prosperity for the Cubans and a life where we could live in brotherhood with all peoples of the world. I nuany became convinced that these goals were impossible to achieve and I made the decision to defect from Cuba.

I should like to point out that I had several previous opportunities to defect. I did not take advantage of any of these situations since I am not an opportunist. On one occasion I was in Mexico-in about 1968-as an official of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba, and had in a bank account in my name. Cuban Government funds in a sum exceeding three hundred thousand dollars. I also had a diplomatic passport, and a good reputation among revolutionaries. I had with me my wife and two children. This would have provided a golden opportunity for defection. I did not take the opportunity because I felt at that time that a change within my Government produced by an internal rebellion was imminent. I knew I could be an important element in that uprising.

I have referred to the catastrophic failures in the Cuban economy under the Revolutionary Government. I should like to cite examples. Cuban Premier Fidel Castro was determined that Cuba would no longer be a country dependent on one agricultural crop, that is sugar. He was convinced that Cuba should diversify its agriculture. Castro ordered that the sugar cane fields be physically destroyed. plowed under. These same sugar cane fields were turned into grass lands or planted to diversified crops. This entire effort was an economic failure. Eventually the Cuban Government was forced to return to sugar as the prime agricultural crop and to start from the beginning to develop the sugar industry, again establishing plantations for the growing of sugar cane.

Another example involves Castro's determination to introduce major industrialization in Cuba particularly for the production of consumer goods. However, the components necessary had to be imported at exceedingly high costs. In addition, parts for the repair of these Cuban made products were literally non-existent. I am personally acquainted with a man who lives in Cuba who bought a Cubanmade refrigerator which become inoperative in short order. He waited 5 years for its repair.

In addition, Fidel Castro considered himself an agricultural expert. He ordered mass fertilization of agricultural crops at the wrong season of the year resulting in an agricultural and economic catastrophy in that regard. He also personally ordered imported into Cuba and planted a cover crop (similar to black-eyed peas). This crop was planted liberally throughout Cuba and resulted in the destruction of the neophyte coffee growing industry in that country.

From personal experience I know that freedom of speech does not exist in Castro's Cuba. Criticism of the Government is non-existent, except when Premier Castro may make a criticism of some particular program or official. It is amusing that Castro always blames someone else for failures within his regime. Should he criticize an individual or program it becomes permissible and proper for the Cuban man in the street to openly do the same thing.

Regarding religion in Cuba, I wish to state that churches have not been closed by the Government, however, attendance at church is discouraged. This is done in several ways. For example, on Sundays people are forced to cut cane or engage in other work for the Government. Also, streets in front of churches are frequently closed for use as playgrounds for neighborhood children. Ball games often take place in the streets in front of the churches. The street is officially

closed for any other activity which keeps people from attending church. In addition, there is subtle pressure against religion by publicly labeling those who attend church as counter-revolutionaries or persons opposed to the Revolutionary Government. In addition, religious processions, common throughout Latin America, are prohibited and there is no nuptial music allowed during marriage ceremonies.

There is absolutely no intellectual freedom within revolutionary Cuba. While one can choose his field of study, he must upon entering the university devote a large portion of his time to communist-oriented political study and the assimilation of Marxist-Leninist propaganda. Fidel Castro claims to be well on the way to having eliminated illiteracy in Cuba. The official Government statement is that it has been reduced to 3% of the population. However, the intellectual level of the student in Cuba has been lowered for many reasons. For example, courses are accelerated and do not cover the subject matter; school youths are required to spend up to three quarters of their time on "productive work" such as the cutting of sugar cane and work in the factories, rather than attending classes.

There has been no success of consequence in the Cuban Government's program to improve housing in Cuba. In fact, the Government by its own admission has been unable to keep up with the need for housing. The official count is that there is a deficiency of one million dwelling units within Cuba at this time. Residences are becoming more dilapidated and many must be destroyed because they are not being kept in repair. The building program of the Government has not kept even and more of the Cuban population is living in less adequate housing. With the large exodus of persons from Cuba, many houses were left vacant and this alleviated the problem of housing to some extent, but with the revocation of exit permits this solution to the problem has evaporated.

There is no black market in Cuba because the Cubans have nothing to trade. Although it is specifically against the law, necessary bartering takes place; for example the trade of a chicken or two for a pair of pants.

There is no such thing as private enterprise within revolutionary Cuba. Everyone is assigned his place of work and duties by the Cuban Government. No one is allowed to transfer from job to job without a permit issued by the Ministry of Labor, which is done very seldom. Although the Cuban worker performs a major amount of overtime in his job, there is no payment for such overtime and it is usual that the worker is required to work on Saturday and Sunday.

Since my defection in the Summer of 1970, I have never been approached by anyone representing Cuban government interests. I have not been harassed and no effort has been made to convince me to return to Cuba. I am not aware that there was any public notice given in Cuba to my defection.

To my knowledge there was no communist infiltration of the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in Cuba, that Government which ruled from 1952 to 1958. There was a Government program to educate the public against communism but this program was relatively ineffective. The Batista Government was, however, decidedly anti-communist.

Although I was never a member of the communist party of Cuba I was forced to take courses in Marxism-Leninism and communist doctrine at the School of Revolutionary Instruction in Havana. I wish to state that I was not a good student. This was a short course of three months duration and I attended classes every night during the week. This schooling took place in 1962. Such courses became required for all civilian Government officials and employees approximately one year previous, or in 1961. I am aware that members of the Armed Forces were required to pursue such courses of instruction by the end of 1959. The first evidence of a Soviet military presence in Cuba occurred early in 1962 when the first military personnel arrived on the island. These men served as advisors to the Cuban military and served to man sophisticated weapons of Soviet origin on the island. After the Cuban missile crisis in October, 1962. Soviet military personnel began to withdraw from Cuba. A number of Cuban students who had studied in the U.S.S.R. and had been trained to handle sophisticated military equipment there, returned to Cuba to take up such duties. All the Russian military did not depart from Cuba, however, and several remained as instructors at general staff schools of the military and as advisors to the Cuban military. Some also served as instructors on Cuban military bases. I have commented concerning the cooling of relations between the Revolutionary Government of Cuba and the U.S.S.R. in the period 1964-1968. With the return of the era of agreement between the Soviets and the Cubans, some Russian military

again appeared in Cuba. However, the number of such personnel never reached that who were in Cuba in 1962.

Concerning the Venceremos Brigade and its activities in Cuba, I should like to state that it is common knowledge within Cuba and well known to Government officials that certain selected members of the Venceremos Brigade are afforded special training in urban guerrilla warfare while in Cuba. I have no personal knowledge of this. I have seen Venceremos Brigade members in large numbers at public political gatherings in Cuba.

It is my opinion, from my own knowledge, that the Revolutionary Government of Cuba has not trained people on that island to engage in urban guerrilla terrorism within the United States. I am personally aware that some members of the Black Panther organization in the United States traveled to Cuba about 1968. I saw them as they passed through Mexico en route to Cuba, where I was assigned by the Cuban Government at the time. It is my opinion that Americans visiting Cuba are subjected to substantial indoctrination in the revolutionary philosophy but that they are not trained in the actual conduct of urban guerrilla terrorism.

Never within Cuba, but frequently outside the island, I have heard it mentioned that Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, a well known figure in the current Cuban Revolutionary Government, may some day replace Fidel Castro as leader of the Cuban people. I know Rodriguez to be an emissary of Fidel only. He has no freedom to act on his own; he occupies a position of "messenger boy" between Fidel Castro and the Soviets. Rodriguez has no reputation among Government officials of Cuba and lacks the necessary qualities of leadership which would allow him to direct the Government. Within Cuba any suggestion that Rodriguez might take over as leader of the Cuban people is treated as a joke.

It is common knowledge at all levels of the Cuban Government and among the informed people in Cuba that virtually every one of those Cuban officials assigned abroad in diplomatic posts are persons trained in intelligence. I have no personal knowledge of this situation. I have never received any training in the field of intelligence operation and have never served in any intelligence capacity for the Government of Cuba or for any other principal.

Mr. SCHULTZ. Mr. Lanza, I would ask that you read the first four paragraphs of this statement as it pertains to the background information of Mr. Suarez, and we will set the stage for further questions. Would you proceed at your own pace, please?

Mr. LANZA. This is a statement by Mr. Ismael Suarez de la Paz:

I was born July 8, 1921 at Matanzas, Cuba and attended primary and secondary schools in that city. For the years 1942 to 1956 I worked as a salesman in Cuba. In 1955 I joined the political movement of Fidel Castro, the July 26th Movement. In 1956 I became a member of the Provincial Directorate for the Province of Havana of the July 26th Movement. In that year also I became an active member of the underground movement working against the regime of the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. I was in hiding from Government forces and was in charge of obtaining supplies for the July 26th Movement in Havana. Later I was Coordinator for the Province of Havana for the July 26th Movement.

In January, 1959, at the time of the take-over of the Government of Cuba by Fidel Castro, I served for one week as Deputy Chief of the Militia in Havana. Cuba. From March to November, 1959 I was a special assistant to Minister of Public Works Manolo Ray in the New Cuban Revolutionary Government. From November, 1959 until 1965 I worked as National Manager for the Cuban Government of the bus terminals in Cuba. In August, 1965 Fidel Castro appointed me General Manager of the first commune in Cuba which was located at San Andres de Caiguanabo. There were 3000 people in this commune and I served as its administrator.

On October 23, 1966 I left Cuba for Mexico at the personal request of Fidel Castro to head a special mission for the buying of coffee, banana and pineapple seeds, and seedlings. During this time I returned occasionally on trips to Cuba. I was working directly under Fidel Castro the Prime Minister. From September 1968 to April, 1969 I was in Paris, France where I headed a Cuban Government Office designed to promote the sale of Cuban made crafts and furniture. This project was an economic effort by Fidel Castro and was of personal interest to him. In June, 1969 Prime Minister Castro sent me on a special mission to the French Island of Martinique where I headed a Cuban Government project to buy young

pineapple plants for shipment to Cuba. In the period June, 1969 to June, 1970 I arranged for the purchase and shipment to Cuba of over forty million pineapple plants. On June 27, 1970 I defected with my family to the United States. Since July, 1970 I have lived and worked in Puerto Rico. I am employed as a sales representative for a wholesale import firm in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Over a period of many years beginning in the 1940s I became convinced that Cuba had suffered under a long history of dishonesty and poor administration in Government. I therefore became opposed to the Government's power. This feeling intensified in 1952 when Fulgencio Batista took over the Government of Cuba and set up a dictatorship. I became more active personally against the regime at this time. In 1953 I met Fidel Castro at the University of Havana. I was not a student there at that time. In time Fidel Castro became a national figure based on his antiBatista activities. In 1955 I joined the July 26th Movement, the political orga nization of Fidel Castro.

Mr. SCHULTZ. Thank you, Mr. Lanza.

(All of the following testimony of Mr. Suarez was given through the interpreter, Mr. Lanza.)

Mr. SCHULTZ. Mr. Suarez, would you tell the committee what prompted you to leave Castro's government in Cuba?

Mr. LANZA. Before I answer that question, I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to thank the House Internal Security Committee for giving me this opportunity to come here and testify before this committee.

Also, if I may, I wish to express to the Government and to the people of the United States my very sincere thanks for having given me this opportunity to start a new life here in this country, in this land of freedom and liberty.

My reasons for defecting from Cuba are many, but I suppose that they could be summarized by saying that it was a matter of losing hope. A group of us Cubans saw the way in which that country was living, they saw the way the economy of Cuba was going from one disaster to another, and we saw that there was no individual liberty in that country.

We had hoped that there would be some changes in the situation, but those changes were not forthcoming, and therefore I defected. We really had no place in that society made up of enslaved people.

Mr. SCHULTZ. Mr. Suarez, did your family leave with you when you defected?

Mr. LANZA. Yes, sir.

Mr. SCHULTZ. Did you have to have specific permission for your family to go with you on your government assignment?

Mr. LANZA. Yes. This is a privilege that is given to very few people. I was one of the ones who had that privilege.

Mr. SCHULTZ. Can we assume, then, from this, that, Mr. Suarez, you were one of the trusted members of Castro's cabinet?

Mr. LANZA. Yes, absolute faith.

Mr. SCHULTZ. What preparation did you make to defect from the Castro government, and, specifically, did you prepare yourself financially?

Mr. LANZA. No, I did not make any specific preparations. I did speak to a consular officer of the U.S. Government. As to any financial preparation, no, I did not make any. I arrived in this country with just a few dollars that a friend gave me. As a matter of fact, the little bit of money that I had, I left there.

Mr. SCHULTZ. Thank you. What I was wondering was whether or not, because of your trusted position with the government and the possi