US Senators Want Alan Gross Home
HAVANA TIMES — Forty-four U.S. senators sent a letter to President Raul Castro asking for the release US agent Alan Gross, said the office of Republican Senator Jerry Moran on Wednesday, reported AFP.
Gross’s detention “is the main obstacle to improving our bilateral relations,” read the message signed by about half of the members of the Senate (100 in total) US.
The Cuban courts sentenced Gross to 15 years of prison for smuggling advanced military-type communications equipment to dissidents on the island.
Cuban foreign ministry official Josefina Vidal says Cuba has proposed talks with the United States about the Alan Gross case, but “up to this moment we have not received a response.”
“Therefore,” she adds, “it is clear that it is not Cuba, but the United States that is not showing interest in this case.” The State Department responded with a statement that rejects the idea of talks with Cuba and instead demands a “humanitarian gesture to release Mr. Gross.”
Many thanks.
Well written Lawrence W! It seems the Americans want what they always want, their way or no way. Unfortunately for them Cuba has proven over more than 50 years that they will not waiver…no matter how much pressure put on them.
‘Moses’ writes, “What is there to talk about?” “Cuba wants to negotiate as if they have something to negotiate with”? Well, it’s obvious they do, namely one grey-haired, balding man named Alan Grossman that American Jews are putting pressure on the US government to get back.
Remember Gilad Shalit? He’s been a prisoner of Hamas for six years. They are willing to exchange him for Palestinians that Israelis have in prison.
‘Moses’ writes, “The US has been steadfast in not being willing to trade Mr. Gross for the 5 Cuban spies. End of story.”
Israelis have been equally “steadfast”. Both stories have ended with no return of the ‘parcel’, nor is it likely to happen unless the US and Israel address legitimate concerns – the fate of the Cuban 5 and of Palestinian prisoners, respectively.
‘Moses’ feels “the only hand left to play is to hope that the humanitarian gesture made in releasing Gross would effect an international media response.”
I personally haven’t seen any “international media response” supporting Gross’s release here but there was a tribunal last weekend in support of the Cuban 5 in Toronto and other cities in Canada and the US.
‘Moses’, you certainly don’t reflect my reality. Do you reflect any others? Other than that of the US Empire?
What is there to talk about? Cuba wants to negotiate as if they have something to negotiate with. The US has been steadfast in not being willing to trade Mr. Gross for the 5 Cuban spies. End of story. The only hand left to play is to hope that the humanitarian gesture made in releasing Gross would effect an international media response to put pressure on the US to likewise respond with a gesture.