Amid Hunger Strike, U.S. to Release Computers for Cuba

The Treasury Department, seeking to end a three-month hunger strike, said Friday it would release 21 computers it seized in San Diego as part of an illegal shipment to Cuban medical centers.

Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin wrote Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) that the Canadian-made computers are being given to members of the United Methodist Church for transfer to the Cuban health care clinics.

As a result, protester Brian Rohatyn, 27, of Canada will end his fast, Rangel spokesman Emile Milne said. But three other protesters will continue their Capitol Hill hunger strike until the release of 375 U.S.-made computers that were also confiscated.

The congressman has been involved in mediating the dispute between the Treasury Department and the Minneapolis-based Pastors for Peace.

The four members of Pastors for Peace began their fast in San Diego after the seizures and later moved it to the United Methodist Church near the Capitol.

The church group was attempting to ship the computers to Cuba in highly publicized moves when they were confiscated by the Treasury’s Customs Service Jan. 31 in San Diego and Feb. 16 in San Diego and Highgate Crossing, Vt.

Trade with Cuba is prohibited under U.S. law. But the federal government makes exceptions for goods delivered as humanitarian aid, provided the aid is not under the control of the government of Fidel Castro.