HAVANA. Sept 8: The head of Cuba’s parliament attacked a proposal to tighten the US embargo on Cuba, saying it would make the United States responsible for "murders" and "embezzlers" protected by the new bill, reports AP.

The comments by Ricardo Alarcon, a former Foreign Minister, signaled a new line of Cuban attack on the Helms-Burton Bill, which Havana has made a center -piece of official criticism.

The measure alms to discourage investment in Cuba by allowing US lawsuits against foreign companies who use property confiscated in Cub* after the revolution of Jan 1. 1959

That would change the foundations of the US policy regarding it* confrontation with Cuba And Cuba Is going to prepare to do the same. Alarcon told a new* conference He did not elaborate

Mark Thiessen. a spokesman for the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee denied that the bill in any way requires the US govern ment to espouse the claims of Cubans who have become American citizena since 1959

In Washington. Thiessen said it merely creates a private right for them to pursue their cases against the government of President Fidel Castro.

Alarcon said Cuba had confiscated no property on Jan 1. 1959. Nor, he said, did Castro's guerillas even have formal control of the country.

The only ones who lost anything in this country on that day was that gang that escaped from this country with the dictator (Fulgencio) Batista. that gang of murderers. of torturers and embezzlers and associates." he told the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Alarcon claimed some of those who fled took part of Cuba's treasury with them.

He said the taw would place US citizens of the time, who have 5.911 claims against Cuba, on the same footing with those who were not US citizens at the time.

The Helms-Burton Bill Is co-sponsored by Sen. Jesse Helms a Republican from North Carolina, and Rep. James Burton a Republican Irom Indians. The White House lias opposed it

Many in Washington con

sidered Batista's government corrupt and brutal, and the US government welcomed Castro al first. It began turning against him later in 1959 and in 1960 as Castro veered left, conflicts arose over US properties and protests grew over executions by revolutionary courts.

Alarcon announced what sounded like a national campaign to collect Information about those who fled in. the early days of the revolution.

We are going to do everything possible to help those who have interests In determining the origin of the property of that man who is now an American." he said.

Cuba has made the Helms-Burton Bill a centerpiece of its foreign policy effort, with some success. Most US allies oppose the measure because they see Its effort* to punish foreign the companies who do businea* in Cuba a* a violation of their sovereignty.

But Thiessen prescribed calm.

This Is a pathetic attempt by the Cuban regime to try and strike fear into the hearts of certified claimants." he said. They have nothing to fear from the Helms-Burton Bill.'