August 17, 2000

HAVANA, August 15 (Reinaldo Cosano Alén) – State Security agents confiscated eight books of children’s literature and reportedly arrested an American citizen who donated the books to an independent library here.

The books, titles like Sindbad the Sailor and Around the World in Eighty Days, were seized at the home of Roberto de Miranda, president of the Independent Cuban Teachers’ Union, by Major Julio Alberto Chang, of the Department of State Security.

Chang told Miranda on August 14 that Douglas W. Schimmel, of Chicago, had been arrested and was being questioned at Villa Marista, headquarters of the Department of State Security. Chang told Miranda that State Security was aware that Schimmel had donated the books, five hundred dollars, one ball and three stuffed animals. Miranda acknowledges receiving the books, the ball and the stuffed animals, but not the money.

The books were intended for an independent children’s library operated out of Miranda’s home, which is also the headquarters of the Independent Cuban Teachers’ Union. The officers who seized the books left behind the ball and the three stuffed animals.

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