Hamburger Abendblatt

(original article in German)

July 2000

US - Scientologists with Caberta - Hatred and Insults

One week in Clearwater (Florida) - Ursula Caberta, head of the Scientology Task Force of the Ministry of the Interior, will not forget it soon. The reason is obvious: Clearwater is one of the headquarters of this controversial Psychosect, and Caberta visited there to support opponents of the organization and to inform about her work in Germany. Resistance was to be expected. But that it would turn out so bad, was not even expected by this trouble-seasoned lady from Hamburg.

Her arrival at the airport of Tampa in Florida was already impressive. Around 50 Scientologists expected Caberta screaming "Go back to Germany" and "Nazi go home." A German-speaking Scientologist shouted "You are a Murderer!" Only under the protection of police escort and through a back door could Caberta leave the airport.

Even the former Scientologist Stacy Brooks and US businessman Bob Minton, who had invited Caberta, declared not to have yet witnessed such outbreak of hatred. Both are used to a variety of threats and pressures from the so-called Scientology Secret Service OSA which has its central headquarters in Clearwater.

Millionaire Minton not only supports the family of the ex-scientologist Lisa McPherson in their investigations on her mysterious death, his Lisa-McPherson-Trust already represents a sort of "institutionalized opposition" which to-date has been unknown in the United States.

Caberta also was unexpectedly confronted with an incredible interrogation by three Scientology-lawyers to which she was called by means of legal documents shoved under her hotel room door. Although she could not contribute anything to the McPherson case, she was interrogated for five hours. While keeping details confidential, she regards this as a "demonstration of power to put her down."

Only the former Mayor of Clearwater, Mr. Gabriel Cazares, had embraced her and symbolically handed her the golden keys of the city of Clearwater with the words: "Most people are glad you are here." Then he apologized for the molestations.

Following the advice of the German Consul, Caberta left Clearwater one day earlier than planned: you might not know what else could happen...