(18 Nov 2000) Spanish/Nat
XFA
Police in Panama City detained four Cuban exiles for questioning in an alleged assassination plot against Fidel Castro

The arrests came just hours after the Cuban leader accused his enemies of planning to kill him in Panama, where he is attending an international summit.

Cuban President Fidel Castro has grabbed the spotlight at the Spanish American summit in Panama City.

Making the first visit to Panama of his 41 years in power, Castro on Friday said Cuban agents had uncovered a plot to murder him.

Castro said earlier Friday that the plot was led by Luis Posada Carriles, a Cuban exile whom he described as "a cowardly man totally without scruples."

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"That gentleman is here and you could almost say with certainty where he
is. And we almost certainly know his exact location.
A: Do you know where he is?
Q: Let's wait a bit. But... we almost know"
SUPER CAPTION: Fidel Castro, Cuban President

Posada Carriles and three others were detained for questioning at a hotel in Panama on Friday.

The four were arrested as they arrived in a small motel called "Los Corales", in El Cangrejo neighbourhood, 15 minutes walk from where Castro's staying.

Castro, 74, accused the U-S based Cuban-American National Foundation of sending arms, explosives and assassins into Panama "intent on my physical elimination."

The identities of three of those arrested have not been confirmed.

Panamanian Interior Minister Winston Spadafora said agents were investigating and said Castro "has been offered all security and all cooperation."

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"On this subject I will not make a statement. I understand that the (Panamanian) security council will shortly issue a communique"
SUPER CAPTION: Alejandro Garus, chief of presidential security

Meanwhile Castro failed to show at the state dinner arranged by Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso, to mark the inauguration of the summit.

Castro's friend and admirer, Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, also did not attend the dinner.

Panamanian Interior Minister Winston Spadafora said agents were investigating and said Castro "has been offered all security and all cooperation."

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