
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 26, 1993                   TAG: 9304260112
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: KEY WEST, FLA.                                LENGTH: Short

BOATS ARRIVE IN CUBA WITH HUMANITARIAN AID

Ships in a flotilla carrying food, medicine and Bibles to Cuba arrived at a harbor outside Havana on Sunday.

Some Cuban expatriates opposed the mercy mission, but organizers say the private humanitarian gesture will reinforce a growing democratic movement.

"A lot of us feel democracy is there now. It's creeping in. And there's no way Castro's government can stop it," said John A. Young, whose Key West group sponsored the effort.

Young was among the last of two dozen boat operators and reporters who left Key West at sunrise. Boats began leaving on Saturday.

The flotilla's cargo, about 8 tons of it, included 1 million vitamin B-1 capsules, 1,000 Bibles, sacks of rice, clothes and medical supplies.

by CNB