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2006-01-17 Caribbean-Latin America

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Posted by Steve White 2006-01-17 00:33|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 FIU President Modesto A, Maidique's Statement Regarding Carlos and Elsa Alvarez
MIAMI (Jan. 10, 2006)â Like many people in the South Florida/~~North Cuban~~ community, I was stunned Monday to learn that two Florida International University employees had been arrested and charged with acting as ~~unregistered agents~~ spies of the Cuban government. I have been friends with Carlos and Elsa Alvarez for many years, ~~but I am not a spy like them,~~ and have known Carlos since before I became president at FIU. Both of them have been valued members of the FIU community for many years. ~~Their cover appeared to be air tight and~~ My personal and professional interactions with the Alvarezes gave me absolutely no indication of any of the activities outlined in the indictment.

The charges are extremely serious. If the allegations stipulated by the U.S. Attorney are substantiated, this will constitute a very significant breach of university ~~American~~ trust and values. The academic excellence of our institution is built on a foundation of service to the community and objectivity in teaching, research and professional service. Faculty and professional staff are pledged to uphold these values, which are intrinsic to FIUâs mission.

FIU has retained the services of former U.S. Attorney Roberto Martinez of the Colson Hicks Eidson Law Firm to advise the university during this time. Mr. Martinez is actively assisting the university in its full cooperation with federal law enforcement authorities.

He is also conducting a thorough, independent review to determine whether any university policies or procedures have been violated. Mr. Martinez has ~~not~~ been hired to assist the Alvarezes in their defense as some media may have reported. Our review is ongoing. To date, our review has allowed us to conclude the following:

FIU did not violate any federal and state procedures related to the funding of travel to Cuba. No state dollars were used to pay for travel to Cuba, ~~or pay sources.~~ No FIU students accompanied Professor Alvarez to Cuba under the auspices of any FIU program to ~~submit spotter or lead reports.~~ No FIU students ~~or anyone else~~ were recruited by the Alvarezes to participate in illegal activity. Following university policy, Carlos and Elsa Alvarez have been placed on administrative leave with pay.

I ask that everyone interested in this case be patient. We at FIU are only now becoming aware of the full extent of the charges against the Alvarezes. The public can be assured that FIU will continue to fully cooperate with authorities and will take appropriate ~~CYA~~ actions at the university level.

Posted by Besoeker 2006-01-17 14:56|| 2006-01-17 14:56|| Front Page Top

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