• Submitted by: manso
• United States
• Politics and Government
• 08 / 24 / 2010

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Should Gov. Richardson seek the release of Alan Gross while he's on the island,that would not be surprising nor unreasonable for Richardson to do.

Why would the Cubans release such a high-profile individual from the United States who was caught in the act of distributing high-tech equipment to the domestic opponents of the Cuban government? Washington has given, so far, zero indication that it's willing to release the Cuban Five.

Consider what Alan Gross was doing when he was apprehended in Cuba: http://tinyurl.com/27vmokx

And Washington is still promoting the same kinds of programs which funded the activities of Alan Gross.

Cuba, meanwhile, continues its release of prisoners who were detained and convicted seven years ago for their activity as essentially unregistered foreign agents of the United States, the same thing which Gross was doing on behalf of Washington during his visit to the island.

What other excuse will Washington have once Cuba releases all of the prisoners as it has pledged specifically to do?

sunnysidesans wrote on 08/23/2010 01:46:19 PM: Governor Richardson's trip is good for New Mexico and good for this country.

His abilities in negotiations are well known. The media keeps misinforming the public. First Alan Gross was handing out cell phones, now satellite equipment.

Alan Gross was not there dealing with the Cuban Jewish community. His actions were specifically against Cuba and funded by a foreign power for the purpose of toppling the established Cuban state. Gross release would most likely come by the release of the five Cubans who are unfairly jailed (12 years so far)in this country for protecting Cuba against terrorism.

These five men never worked against the USA. Gov. Richardson must keep Alan Gross's actions and the Cuban Five's case in mind if he intends to discuss any release otherwise Mr. Gross is looking to spend a long time in Cuba.

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.

``During the visit, Gov. Richardson will help market New Mexico commodities and follow up on inroads made on potential trade partnerships during a visit to Cuba last year,'' the statement added.

The senior Obama administration official said Richardson was also expected to seek the release of Gross, a Potomac, Md., subcontractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

``Gov. Bill Richardson is leading a trade mission for the state of New Mexico. We refer you to his office for details,'' the official said in an e-mail to El Nuevo Herald.

``As we and others have done, we expect Gov. Richardson to urge the Cuban government to immediately release Mr. Gross. He is not carrying a message from the administration,'' the official added.

Richardson advocates easing U.S. sanctions on Cuba and has made several trips to the island. He was last there on another trade mission a year ago, and a 1996 visit led to the release of three Cuban political prisoners.

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.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/23/1788246/new-mexico-governor-in-cub...

Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/message/117242