Bill Richardson's trip to Havana did not end well

[flamingdem]

La Alborada - Sep 14
http://www.cubamer.org/

* I think Richardson's attitude doomed him - without stating he was officially sent by Obama and with the statement that he'd stay until he could see Gross - he set up an all or nothing arrogance that would be rejected in Cuba. The Dems have to learn more about Cuba. Richardson, surprisingly, hasn't a clue about the Cuban viewpoint.


Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's trip to Havana did not end well. He had intended to negotiate the release of Alan Gross, a sub-contractor working on one of USAID's regime-change projects in Cuba. Gross was arrested, and is now serving a 15-year sentence in Cuba after his conviction was upheld on appeal. Gross' remaining hope is a release on humanitarian grounds or through some diplomatic exchange.

At the same time, Cuba is waging a worldwide campaign for the release of the Cuban Five, who have been in jail in the US for 13 years now. One of the Five was sentenced to two consecutive lifetime terms. Also in the background is renewed activity by far-right Congressional opponents of Cuba, who seek to torpedo all efforts to build better relations between the US and Cuba.

It is hard to make a clear connection between events reported in the media, because a lot happens in political and diplomatic spheres that is not made public. Some details about Richardson's trip, such as who exactly invited him to Cuba --as he says happened-- and what coordination was made with the Obama administration --both Richardson and the President say that he was acting entirely in a private role-- remain unclear.

Whatever unfolded during the last week in connection to Gross or to any other matters involving Cuba, it's clear that relations between the US and Cuba are no better now than they were before the trip; perhaps they are worse. Following is a chronology of events drawn from news sources.

September 7 (Wed) - Richardson arrives in Havana. He says, without details, that he is there at the invitation of the Cuban government, and that his purpose is to free Gross.

September 8 (Thu) - The AP reports:

Cuban Parliament Chief Ricardo Alarcon lauded Richardson's efforts to improve ties between Washington and Havana, including advocating freedom for five Cuban agents serving long jail terms in the United States. Richardson's effort toward rapprochement "is something legitimate," he said. "It is something noble. I hope it gets results", Alarcon said. He insisted, however, that he had no idea whether Richardson would be allowed to leave the island with Gross. "I don't know what Bill's program here involves," Alarcon said. "I'm not a fortune teller."

Richardson meets with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, telling the minister --according to a Washington Post reporter in a later interview-- that �if you release Alan Gross, there are a number of areas of cooperation we can talk about... their inclination is not to do that.�

Later that day, Richardson reports that he has not been allowed to see Gross, and asserts that he will stay in Havana until he is permitted to see Gross. In an interview with AP, he "repeatedly" describes Gross --whose conviction had been upheld by Cuba's Supreme Court-- as an "American hostage."

September 9 (Fri) - Richardson reiterates that he has not been allowed to see Gross. He states: "My main message is that the key to improving relations between the U.S. and Cuba --which has been one of my objectives-- is the release of American Alan Gross."

September 11 (Sun) - Richardson states that "My position is, I�m not planning to leave until I get a chance to visit Alan Gross.�

September 12 (Mon) - Barack Obama tells reporters from a small group of news agencies that the changes taking place in Cuba are insufficient, and says in practically so many words that it is time for regime change in Cuba. Concerning Gross, Obama repeats prior demands that he be released, and states that "Anything to get Mr. Gross free we will support, although Mr. Richardson does not represent the US government in his actions there."

The same day, Alarcon speaks at a major activity in support of the Cuban Five, and in strong words calls on the US to release them.

September 13 (Tue) - Unable to meet with Gross, Richardson announces that he is leaving Cuba.

[bemildred]

1. As usual, they want something for nothing.

"Give me what I want and we'll talk."

Exactly what we are told is silly when trying to get a law through Congress, as in "nobody demands everything they want to start with".

[Bacchus39]

2. US doesn't have to give them anything. Gross is in prison

for giving out cell phones and lap tops. in most countries these are standard everyday devices enjoyed by millions.

[flamingdem]

3. Not true, it was special equipment that cannot be detected nt

[Bacchus39]

6. you mean the Cubans couldn't spy on that equipment then correct?

since they have such a compelling reason to monitor internet and phone usage right?

[bemildred]

5. Neither party can compel the other, that is my point.

So you offer nothing, you get nothing.

[flamingdem]

9. Richardson came empty handed and got nothing

He could have AT LEAST negotiated for the immediate return to Cuba of the soon to be released Cuban 5 prisoner.

[flamingdem]

4. The US wants something for nothing, they won't negotiate over the five

Cubans and this includes allowing the first to be released to return to Cuba rather than face probation in Miami where his life is at risk.

[Bacchus39]

7. won't ever happen, nor should it. but just imagine the political consequences

for Obama if he released 5 admitted Cuban agents.

[EFerrari]

8. Of course it should happen. They are clearly political prisoners.

Alan Gross is not. He was in Cuba to extend the US spying capabilities.

And Obama gets CANF money. His position has already been made clear.

[Bacchus39]

10. the Cubans were government agency spies, no question about it

convicted by a jury, not political prisoners. Gross was contracted by the government to distribute communications equipment. but I guess that is illegal in Cuba. I mean cell phone use on a wider scale was just recently permitted. Cuba has serious issues with allowing their citizens to communicate with the outside world.

its clear which side you're on.

[EFerrari]

11. Of course they were spying. They collected information on American terrorists

and presented it to the FBI. They were not spying on America but on terrorists operating in this country.

Gross on the other hand was a CIA contractor working on what continues to be the US government's policy of regime change in Cuba. He belongs in prison.

And I hope my position is crystal clear.

[Bacchus39]

12. yes, your support for Castro and Chavez

and any anti-US government including Gadafi is quite clear.

the Cuban spies were convicted by a jury of citizens.

they are admitted spies, sent by the Cuban government and engaged in unquestionably illegal activity. Gross was a USAID contractor who gave away equipment you can get at Best Buy. that's Cuba for you. a political prisoner all the way.

[EFerrari]

13. By your same logic, Obama has no business sending our agents

into Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia against Al Qaida.

And as for the trial, the UN has concluded that the Cuban Five cannot get a fair trial in Miami. Duh.

I oppose imperialism, not the United States, I don't equate the two as you obviously do. And you can't find a word of me supporting Gaddafi. That is simply absurd.

[Bacchus39]

15. yes, the special forces that killed Bin Laden were at great risk

and they knew that. they knew they could have been killed. I wonder if the Cuban 5 knew the risks that if they were caught they would have been imprisoned. I assume they did. I'd like to see the UN position on the trial. My understanding is that no Cuban Americans were on the jury. I don't believe that Cuban Americans positions have rubbed off on other South Floridians

I'm glad you don't support Gadafi.

[flamingdem]

17. 2 good points nt

[naaman fletcher]

14. Not only that..

but he has openly stated that it's ok for governments he likes to throw opposition reporters in jail. "whatever it takes" is, I believe, the quote.

[Bacchus39]

16. I'd love to see that quote from her

I get the general sense that investigations and prosecutions in places like Colombia are good, but not so much in other countries. it is true though that some countries are not burdened by prosecuters investigating government corruption and malfeasance. its like a tree falling in the forest, if there is no investigation it didn't happen.