U.S.-Cuba talks overshadowed by recriminations

U.S.-Cuba talks overshadowed by recriminations

The talks in Havana focused on immigration issues and a U.S. request for
the release of an American contractor. But U.S. delegates also met
dissidents, infuriating Cuban officials.
By Tracy Wilkinson

February 21, 2010

Reporting from Mexico City - The highest-level meeting of U.S. and Cuban
officials in Havana in years was overshadowed Saturday by a flourish of
recriminations reminiscent of the Cold War-era tensions that have long
polarized the two nations.

The talks Friday in Havana focused on immigration issues, including
visas and repatriation, part of a dialogue resumed in July after a
six-year suspension. Both governments labeled the talks as positive.

But on Saturday, Cuba scolded the U.S. officials, who used their visit
to meet with dissidents. Havana said the decision to talk to
"mercenaries" demonstrated Washington's ulterior motives aimed at
overthrowing the government of President Raul Castro.

"This offensive conduct . . . exposes the [U.S.] lack of real
willingness to improve ties with our country," the Cuban Foreign
Relations Ministry said in a statement published Saturday in the
Communist Party newspaper, Granma.

A senior State Department official said it was standard operating
procedure under the Obama administration for visiting delegations to
seek out non-government players.

"Worldwide we have a policy of reaching out," the official said in a
conference call with reporters. "We're not inclined to make exceptions
to that."

State Department rules dictated that the official not be identified.

The U.S. delegation used the session in Havana to demand the release of
an American imprisoned by Cuba for what it calls subversive activities.

The man, Alan Gross, a U.S. government contractor from Maryland, was
arrested in December and is being held without charge. His family says
he was distributing computers and phones in Cuba's tiny Jewish community.

The early months of the Obama administration stirred hope of improved
relations between Cuba and the United States after half a century of
animosity. Obama made several small gestures, including the relaxing of
travel restrictions for Cuban Americans going to the country, but the
atmosphere quickly deteriorated.

wilkinson@latimes.com

U.S.-Cuba talks overshadowed by recriminations - latimes.com (21
February 2010)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-us-cuba21-2010feb21,0,3793057.story