New Mexico governor in Cuba, may seek release of U.S. contractor

[Judi Lynn]

New Mexico governor in Cuba, may seek release of U.S. contractor
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
[e-mail]

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who won the release of three Cuban political prisoners during a 1996 visit, was in Havana again Monday to lead a trade mission.

A senior Obama administration official said U.S. officials also expect Richardson to press Cuba to free Alan Gross, a U.S. government subcontractor jailed there for almost nine months.

Richardson ``traveled to Havana, Cuba, as part of a mission to strengthen potential trade and cultural partnerships between New Mexico and Cuba,'' his office said in a statement issued Sunday.

~snip~

Gross was arrested Dec. 3 in Havana after delivering satellite communications equipment to the island's tiny Jewish community. He has not been officially charged, but Cuban officials have linked him to U.S. intelligence activities in their public comments on the case.

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/23/1788246/new-mexico-governor-in-cuba-may.html

[flamingdem]

1. Would love to be a fly on the wall watching how Richardson is being treated

.. after having the time of his life and being charmed equally or more by the Cubanos he may discover that they expect him to return and actually do something of equal value to the release of Gross... can't get something for nada..

[Billy Burnett]

3. Would love to be able to fly there, period.

As it is now, I am not free to leave and return to the US on a Cuba visit.

[flamingdem]

4. me too Billy, I miss la isla

I can't go back currently, but I'm plotting..

[Judi Lynn]

2. Time for Western Hemisphere countries to collaborate (Wash.Post opinion by Richardson 8-14-10)

Time for Western Hemisphere countries to collaborate
By Bill Richardson
Saturday, August 14, 2010

Arizona's attempt to create and enforce its own immigration policy has once again amplified -- and politicized -- the immigration debate in this country. But the fallout of that debate extends beyond our borders. The anti-immigrant push in Arizona has further alienated our neighbors throughout Latin America, who had been hoping for better relations with the United States after President Obama's election. We need to turn this opportunity to our advantage and engage with our neighbors throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Latin America has perhaps the greatest impact, in terms of trade and culture, on the daily lives of most Americans. U.S. exports to Latin America have grown faster in the past 11 years than to any other region, including Asia. Hispanics represent the biggest ethnic and most sought-after voting bloc in the United States. And nearly every country in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean now has a democratically elected government.

The time is right to leverage our trade and partnerships and advance a more collaborative relationship with our neighbors to the south. The Obama administration should consider these five steps:

-- First, it should aggressively lobby Congress for a comprehensive immigration law. Such legislation would include increased border security; a crackdown on illegal hires; and an accountable path to legalization that requires the 11 million immigrants here illegally to learn English, pass a background check, pay fines and get in line behind those who are trying to enter our country legally. Illegal immigrants come to our country from Central and South America and the Caribbean. This is not just an issue with Mexico; it is a hemispheric issue that needs a comprehensive response.

-- Second, as a first step to changing our policy toward Cuba, the president should issue an executive order to lift as much of the travel ban as possible. The travel ban penalizes U.S. businesses, lowers our credibility in Latin America and fuels anti-U.S. propaganda. Lifting the ban would also be a reciprocal gesture for Cuba's recent agreement, negotiated among the Catholic Church, the Spanish government and President Ra?l Castro, to release political dissidents. Obama has taken significant steps to loosen restrictions on family travel, remove limits for remittance and expand cooperation in other areas such as expanding the export of humanitarian goods from the United States into Cuba. Loosening travel restrictions is in U.S. interests and would be a bold move toward normalization of relations with Cuba.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/13/AR2010081304982.html