HAVANA -- (AP) -- Weeping and trembling, a Salvadoran man Monday asked
             the Cuban people's forgiveness for a hotel bombing as the government launched its
             second terrorism trial in as many weeks aimed at linking Miami exiles to violent
             acts in Cuba.

             Unlike in last week's trial of a man accused of six bombings, the government says
             it can prove a definitive link between suspect Otto Rene Rodriguez Llerena and
             the Miami-based Cuban American National Foundation.

             ``I confess that I am guilty,'' Rodriguez Llerena told a five-member tribunal as his
             father and mother-in-law watched from the front row. ``I beg the pardon of the
             Cuban people.''

             Rodriguez Llerena was arrested July 10, 1998, at Havana's international airport
             when he tried to bring more than 3 pounds of explosives into Cuba.

             He is charged with terrorism for that act and for planting a bomb in the lobby of
             the luxury Melia-Cohiba Hotel on Aug. 3, 1997. The morning explosion caused
             minor damage and no injuries.

             The prosecution has recommended 30 years in prison.

             During questioning by prosecutor Enrique Nunez Grillo, Llerena Rodriguez
             described being trained in El Salvador by a man he knew as Ignacio Medina but
             who the Cuban government maintains was Cuban exile Luis Posada Carriles. The
             man gave him the instructions and material needed to place the bombs, the
             defendant said.

             During this trial and the trial last week of Salvadoran Raul Ernesto Cruz Leon, the
             government has tried to show that Posada organized the bombings and that they
             were paid for by a secret military organization of the Cuban American National
             Foundation.

             The foundation repeatedly has denied it financed the bombings.

             During closing arguments in last week's trial, prosecutors showed a TV interview
             in which Posada said Cruz Leon was hired by members of the exile organization.

             Although Posada originally told journalists the group backed Cruz Leon, he later
             said he had lied about the foundation's involvement. He did not deny his own
             alleged role.

             Cruz Leon admitted planting bombs in six tourist locales, killing an Italian man and
             wounding 11, including seven foreigners. If convicted, he faces execution by firing
             squad. The verdict is pending.

             Posada has been accused of responsibility for the bombing of a Cubana Airlines
             passenger jet in 1976 that killed 73 people. In 1986, while awaiting trial in
             Venezuela for the bombing, he escaped from prison. His whereabouts are
             unknown.
 

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