Bergen man opposes Cuba's removal from terror list

The United States has taken Cuba off a terror blacklist, but one Bergen County man says the move is misguided. Joe Connor says his father, Frank Connor, was killed by a bomb in Manhattan in 1975. The

News 12 Staff

Jun 1, 2015, 2:14 AM

Updated 3,259 days ago

Share:

Bergen man opposes Cuba's removal from terror list
The United States has taken Cuba off a terror blacklist, but one Bergen County man says the move is misguided.
Joe Connor says his father, Frank Connor, was killed by a bomb in Manhattan in 1975. The man Connor sees as a terrorist, William Morales, possibly made the bomb, he says.
Morales fled to Cuba, where he currently lives. While Connor thinks that Cuba is sponsoring terrorism or a terrorist, the U.S. says the Caribbean nation is not.
Despite the removal, the State Department still questions some of Cuba's policies, including the housing of fugitives from U.S. justice.
According to the FBI, Morales worked for a radical Puerto Rican group behind hundreds of bombings. The group, FALN, took credit for bombing the Manhattan tavern in which Connor's father was killed.
Connor says that if Cuba wants off of the terror list, it should return Morales, who is one of the FBI's most wanted.
"If we are going to go down this road... the least we can do is get back terrorists, convicted murderers," Connor said. "It's a no-brainer."
Federal lawmakers had the ability to weigh in or even block the removal of Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, but never did. A 45-day deadline came and expired May 29, prompting the State Department to withdraw Cuba.


More from News 12
1:56
Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

2:03
Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

1:12
Several house fires break out in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out in New Jersey; 1 man dead

2:44
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

1:20
Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

2:17
Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

0:57
Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

0:22
Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

0:36
Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail service to MetLife Stadium concerts

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail service to MetLife Stadium concerts

0:46
Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

0:35
Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

0:24
Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

0:29
Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark