1 of 4 Prominent Dissidents Is Freed

Cuba unexpectedly freed one of four well-known government opponents whose prison sentences drew international protests last year. Engineer Felix Bonne, who was released three years into a four-year prison term, said he planned to continue his opposition activities and had sent a message of thanks to foreign supporters. Bonne said he believes that the other dissidents also will be released soon. The others are: economist Marta Beatriz Roque, sentenced to 3 1/2 years; lawyer Rene Gomez Manzano, four years; and Vladimiro Roca, a former military fighter pilot and son of the late Communist leader Blas Roca, five years. The four were arrested in July 1997 for criticizing a Communist Party document that they said did not present solutions to Cuba’s severe economic problems.