Nobody's man in Havana (Alan Gross & the Obama admin)

[Mika]

Nobody's man in Havana

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It’s all well and good to have a democracy development program that expands Internet access around the world. And it sounds good to carry out that program wherever we like as if the concept of national sovereignty is quaint and irrelevant because, as Secretary Clinton used to argue, access to information is a universal right.

All that idealism makes for good political speeches and strong-sounding letters to the President, it keeps the program going in Congress, and it provides the money that got Alan Gross the businessman interested in becoming a USAID operative in Cuba.

But the idealism was of no help to Alan Gross the operative because the program ignored – as did Mr. Gross – some basic operational realities. Such as: The Cuban government cares about its own sovereignty especially vis-à-vis the United States. The Cuban intelligence service is not a casual, 9-to-5 operation. It is foolish to send anyone, much less an untrained USAID contractor, to operate on that service’s home turf. And the placement of satellite Internet units with Wi-Fi hotspots would probably appear to the Cuban government to be a lot more than assistance to the Jewish community, especially because the operation was funded by a U.S. law (Helms-Burton) that seeks to overturn the political order in Cuba.

It has been four years and the demands for Mr. Gross’ unconditional release have not worked. Is anyone responsible now for finding an approach that does work?

More here --> http://cubantriangle.blogspot.com/2013/12/nobodys-man-in-havana.html

[dipsydoodle]

1. It is perfectly clear to one and all prior to entering Cuba

what is a no no regarding import - bit like carrying fruit into the US for example. One of those items in the case of Cuba just happens to be satellite 'phones.

I have yet to decide whether Gross is just plain stupid , a complete mug or simply illiterate.

Maybe there's a deal to done involving the release, with complete freedom, of the Cuban Five.

[Mika]

2. Cuba's position: the "5" aren't spies. The US's position: Gross isn't a spy.

Exchanges are generally reserved for spies.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Yes - I take your point.

[joshcryer]

12. Do you have a link to that?

Every time that Cuba tries to get back the Cuban 5 it seems predicated on a spy swap. Raul tried to give up 200 political prisoners to get the Cuban 5 back, then the Gross offer, etc. I don't see any indication that Cuba doesn't acknowledge they were spying.

[roody]

13. He wants them to be home and free.

[Bacchus4.0]

4. they don't arrest you for bringing in fruit to the US

they confiscate it just like what happened to me when I brought some meat back from Ecuador two months ago. They didn't arrest me or fine me but just confiscated it and sent me on my way. and on the other side, Ecuador didn't arrest me for bringing in my unlocked cell phone into the country.

[dipsydoodle]

6. I used that only as an illustration

of what isn't ok when entering a country. I refuse to believe he wasn't fully aware of what he was doing.

[Bacchus4.0]

9. yep, I am certain he knew he was distributing satellite phone technology n/t

s

[Mika]

7. But, the US does arrest unregistered foreign agents - especially if ...

.. they're in the employ of declared enemy states.

[Bacchus4.0]

8. no kidding, just as they should n/t

[Mika]

10. So, saying that they don't get arrested for fruit is, well, fruitless.

[joshcryer]

11. He was obviously an idiot trying to make money.

Customs knew what he had on him and he was watched the entire time. Everyone he approached refused his services.

Everyone is aware of the totalitarian nature of Cuba's communication with the outside world.

Gross was just wanting to get the USAID money and pocket it.

Had the Cuban government just sent him on his way after confiscating his equipment, as is normally the case when someone is bringing in ... fruit, it wouldn't have hurt.

But Cuba wanted to send a message.

[joelz]

5. I'm guessing Mr. Gross will

do the 15 unless the Cuban five prevail in their attempt to receive a retrial.