Extradite Chesimard Before Normalizing Relations with Cuba

June 9, 2009

Contact: Tara Fantini / (732) 974-0400
Senator Sean T. Kean (R-11)

Editorial by Senator Sean T. Kean of New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District

Recently, the Obama administration lifted travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans seeking to visit their families in Cuba. This is widely viewed as the first step toward normalizing relations with the communist country and perhaps lifting the nearly 50-year old embargo. Depending on your politics and perspective, one can make reasonable arguments for and against this potential policy shift. Most Americans would agree, however, that Cuba’s return of a convicted cop killer, whom they have harbored for more than 20 years, should be a prerequisite to any steps the federal government takes to normalize relations.

The fugitive, JoAnne Chesimard, (now known as Assata Shakur) is of particular notoriety to New Jerseyans. She was convicted of murdering New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster during a shoot-out on the New Jersey Turnpike in May of 1973. After being pulled over for a routine traffic stop, Chesimard and fellow members of the radical Black Liberation Army opened fire on Foerster and another State Trooper. According to reports, Chesimard killed Foerster “execution style”, shooting him in the head as he lay wounded by gunfire.

For her role in this heinous crime, Chesimard was sentenced to life in prison. However, after her conviction, Chesimard escaped from prison and fled to Cuba where she was granted political asylum and has lived ever since. She is formally recognized by the United States government as a domestic terrorist, and, since 2005, a $1 million reward has been offered for her capture.

For her part, she portrays herself as a political prisoner, targeted because of her involvement in the militant Black Liberation Army. Not surprisingly, Cuba embraced Chesimard as a revolutionary rather than honor an extradition treaty to return her to the U.S. to face justice. Certainly, these motives are political, but if the embargo of his country is to be lifted, a reevaluation must be made to cease Cuba’s protection of this dangerous fugitive.

Toward that end, I sent a letter to President Obama asking him to delay normalizing relations with Cuba until they agree to extradite Chesimard. By aiding and abetting this cold-blooded killer, Cuba has insulted our State Police and all members of the law enforcement community. If we move forward without addressing this issue, we send a message that we are not committed to pursuing justice for a trooper who was savagely gunned down in the line of duty.

Furthermore, I recently held a press conference at the State House with Senator Fred Madden, former State Police Lieutenant Colonel, representatives from the New Jersey State Police, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police, and the family of another murdered Trooper Philip Lamonoca to introduce a resolution urging the extradition of this convicted cop killer as a condition of the United States resuming normal diplomatic relations with Cuba.

I also applaud the recent efforts of NJ Attorney General Anne Milgram, who is making a renewed effort to extradite Chesimard from Cuba. She and State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes also sent a letter to the President asking that the Chesimard situation be resolved before any further steps are taken toward normalizing relations.

I am hopeful that our letters and the many voices of the law enforcement community are heeded in Washington, DC. This is not about politics; it is about an opportunity for justice. With the national spotlight on a changing relationship with Cuba, we need to seize the opportunity to finally have justice served. New Jerseyans, law enforcement, and the family of Trooper Werner Foerster deserve no less.

Link to Post:

http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/seankean/extradite-chesimard-before-normalizing-relations-with-cuba/3299