August 24, 1970

Exiles Repeat Battle Pledge

Cuban exile unification leader Jose de la Torriente has repeated a pledge that his followers will be fighting inside Cuba before the end of the year.

"The egg is hatching," Torriente said in reaffirming his vow. "We are certain that the shell will crack and that the chick will come out. What is not known is where it will come out."

Torriente's comments came at a news conference during which he announced a "worldwide" fundraising campaign to be coordinated by six Cuban exile figures.

The committee, he said, will be made up of Dr. Jose Alvarez Diaz, former minister of the Treasury; Dr. Jose Miguel Morales Gomez, former Havana mayor and economics professor; Dr. Antonio Tella, civil engineer and former undersecretary of public works; Carlos Arbolenya, president of the Fidelity National Bank of Miami; and Dr. Bernardo Benes, economist and vice-president of the Washington Federal Savings and Loan association of Miami Beach.

Dr. Joaquin Martinez Saenz, former minister of the treasury and president of the National Bank of Cuba, will oversee the group's efforts.