Judicial Watch -International Conference

Miami, 2001
By: G. Zayas-Marrero

A conservative nonpartisan watchdog group Judicial Watch’s motto “Because No-One is Above the Law” denotes the level of the cases these lawyers take on. Most though not all of their clients are whistle blowers and any political party and or government is fair game. They believe that by “Fighting Corruption” they are “Fostering Freedom”.  Their Ethics in Government Conference was held in Miami October 5 and 6^th.  Due to September 11^th less people attended than had originally been anticipated, although there was a sizable crowd. I went with a friend who invited me to Saturday’s event. A broad spectrum of topics were discussed and analyzed by panelists and some very plausible conspiracy theories were touched upon.

The first of the panelists included Brothers to the Rescue Founder Jose Basulto and FIU Professor Manuel Cereijo an expert on asymmetrical terrorism. Professor Cereijo expanded on the panel topic, “The Export of Terrorism From Cuba and Other Rogue States to the World.” Asymmetrical terrorism is the unconventional methods readily available to rogue states. They may not have the funds or access to nuclear weaponry but they do have biological and chemical weapons. In the case of Cuba in particular they have Elite Troops (equal to US Delta Forces), which train at the Baragua Camp where under the tutelage of top Cuban generals 3,000 to 5,000 men (from all over the world) ages 18 to 35 are trained to deliver different modes of bio-terrorist attacks. Cuba’s Center for Genetic Biotechnology is the 2^nd best outside of the United States with over 1500 scientist not including staff and technicians. Under the guise of vaccine productions this center along with eight others in the country are dedicated to the research and development of biological weaponry. Cuba has also helped Iran build its first biotechnology lab just outside of Tehran. Professor Cereijo believes the West Nile virus made its way to the U.S. from Cuba through Iraq. Jose Basulto who lost four of his pilots to Fidel Castro’s order to shoot them, (although they were in international waters) is a Judicial Watch client who is actively seeking Castro’s indictment in crimes against humanity. Mr. Basulto and Judicial Watch, have been key to the case currently filed in Belgian courts against Castro. Mr. Basulto desired that the participants of the conference take with them the notion that America is vulnerable on more than one front and that we must be alert.

Other panels offered that morning included, “Exposing Corruption and Protecting the Security of Nations”. Judicial Watch client Mr. Peter Paul is in a Brazilian jail waiting for extradition for supposedly attempting to commit election campaign fraud. Mr. Paul claims he made approximately $2 million dollars in contributions to Hillary Clinton’s senate campaign while Mrs. Clinton only acknowledges $500,000 of it. Evidence supporting Mr. Paul’s case was given to the New York and California State Attorney’s Offices, who were both headed at the time by “Interim” officers subject to final appointment by democrats sympathetic to Mrs. Clinton. Judicial Watch has since turned over all pertaining material in this case directly to John Ashcroft’s office, which is currently investigating the matter. Another Judicial Watch case is that of the INS officer bringing charges of prejudice against the INS and Janet Reno for their behavior during the Elian Gonzalez case. Florida courts have cleared the way for Janet Reno to be tried although not the INS.  The “Spiritual Mechanisms of Corruption: Why Political Freedom is the Antidote” was to be addressed by Father David Jaeger.

Afternoon sessions began with Antonio Ortega columnist and author of “Due North to Hell”. Mr. Ortega spoke of the history of Colombian drug trafficking, Marxist guerrillas and their evolution (with the help of the Cuban government) to their most recent threatening of American interests in Columbia and the U.S., this was followed by a panel on “How and Why the U.S. Government Failed to Protect Us from Terrorists” which included Garland Favorito the author of “Our Nation Betrayed”. Mr. Favorito addressed portions of his book which detail the “selling out” of America to the Chinese by the actions and inactions of both the Democratic and Republican parties. The book includes charts on the topic for visual aids as to the connections in this broad conspiracy theory. The next panel was titled “Is the Media Protecting or Undermining Truth and National Security”. Mediated by Blanquita Cullum this lively panel included John Berlau of Insight Magazine and Joseph Farah CEO & Editor in Chief of WorldNetDaily.Com among others. The general feeling and consensus of this panel was that of never advocating censorship though acknowledging that the news and the format in which it is fed to the public is definitely controlled by a small group of news agencies with private interests. It was also acknowledged that the Internet is providing viable new sources of news information that often challenges mainstream reports. Concerns were also expressed about Hollywood’s desensitizing of children through the constant barrage of violence. The final panel of the day was moderated by, the Junta Patriotica Cubana’s International President Dr. Roberto Rodriguez de Aragon. The panel included Dr. Antonio Jorge, FIU Professor of Political Economy, Dr. Luis Aguilar Leon a former Professor of Georgetown University. “Cuba After Castro” Dr. Leon believed it was impossible to really predict what would happen in Cuba immediately after Castro’s disappearance. How long it would take for a transitionary government to take control. Professor Jorge added that although it was impossible to say with certitude how and when a transition would take place it was going to be necessary for there to be a complete bureaucratic and ideological break with past in order for Cuba to recuperate. The Honorable Judge Saul Sanders of the Florida Circuit Court who lectured on “Why the Courts Must Protect Citizens Against Government Corruption” closed afternoon sessions.

Larry Klayman, Founder, Chairman and General Counsel of Judicial Watch and Tom Fitton its President both effective conservatives are the backbone of this organization. Since its inception in 1994 Judicial Watch has racked up more than 60 victories for their clients. They are currently involved in “137 investigations and 82 cases against high-ranking officials for misconduct and violations of public trust.” Though I don’t consider myself conservative by any means I must say that I found the conference interesting and the concept of “Ethics in Government” one that is long overdue.

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