NEWS RELEASE from IFCO / Pastors for Peace

FASTERS END THEIR "FAST FOR LIFE" AFTER 94 DAYS

AS SEIZED COMPUTERS ARE RELEASED

On Friday night, May 24, 1996, the 94-day "Fast for Life" officially ended when US Customs released nearly 374 used medical computers which they had seized from IFCO / Pastors for Peace volunteers who were attempting to take them to Cuba. The computers were released to the official custody of the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church.

"We are thankful to God and the hundreds of thousands of supporters who never gave up the struggle to free the computers," said Rev. Lucius Walker, executive director of IFCO / Pastors for Peace, as he ended his fast. "Together, we have made an effort to appeal to the soul and integrity of our nation. Our efforts have not been in vain, but much work remains. The new broad coalition which has grown around the Fast will keep working to send these computers on to Cuba. And as the coalition grows, we will keep working together for a more humane US / Cuba policy."

At midnight, Friday, May 24, on the east coast, while US Customs was handing over the computers, fasters Jim Clifford, Lisa Valanti, and Rev. Lucius Walker broke their 94-day fast during a special service of thanksgiving at the United Methodist Building in Washington, DC. The fasters savored rice broth in the company of religious leaders, congressional aides and members of their support team.

Clergy representing the United Methodist Church arrived at a San Diego Customs storage facility at 9pm (Pacific time) Friday to receive the boxed medical computers, which will be kept in storage in the US, pending completion of the commitment shared by a coalition of national church partners to deliver them to Cuba without requesting a license. The coalition includes six national mainline denominations and the National Council of Churches. The computers are intended to be donated to Cuban churches and health care facilities. Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett, general secretary of the UMC General Board of Church and Society, said, "We are optimistic that this medical aid will soon be exported for humanitarian use in Cuba."

"The release of these computers was made possible by the active support of hundreds of thousands of people of conscience in all parts of the US and the world," said Rev. Walker. He expressed "special gratitude for the committed work of Congressman Charles A. Rangel (D- NY), whose tireless advocacy helped seal this victory." Rangel led a group of more than 70 members of Congress who pressed the Clinton Administration to release the computers.

CONTACT:

In DC; Ellen Bernstein, Ed Newman: 202/544-3825 or 202-488-5654, 202-886-7369(pager) 202-488-5663

In San Diego; Andrea Saenz, John Bracken: 619/582-8288 or 619/286-3004

In NY: 212/926-5757 fax: 212/926-5757

In Minneapolis: 612/870-7121

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