State Department says Cuba has detained US citizen

[KurtFF8]

Source (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091212/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_cuba_american_detained;_ylt=Ag1hzRFWK42ewLms3Xg 3Suas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN0dmhjYmd1BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDk xMjEyL3VzX2N1YmFfYW1lcmljYW5fZGV0YWluZWQEY2NvZGUDb W9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwM1BHBvcwMyBHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQR zZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDc3RhdGVkZXBhcnRt)


Associated Press Writer Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 19 mins ago

WASHINGTON – The Cuban government has arrested an American citizen, and U.S. diplomats in Havana are trying to learn more about the case, the State Department said Saturday.

The American was detained on Dec. 5, State Department spokeswoman Megan Mattson said. She would not release any more details, including the American's identity, because of federal privacy law.

The American was working as a subcontractor for the Maryland-based economic development organization, Development Alternatives, Inc.

Jim Boomgard, DAI's president and chief executive, said the person arrested is part of a new USAID program intended to "strengthen civil society in support of just and democratic governance in Cuba."

"Our prime concern is for the safety, well-being, and quick return to the United States of the detained individual," Boomgard said in a statement. Boomgard said the company is working with the State Department to ensure this is a top priority.

The New York Times reported Saturday the American was distributing cell phones, laptops and other communications equipment in Cuba.

The Obama administration and Cuba have talked about improving relations between the two countries, but progress has been slow.

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On the Net:

http://www.dai.com

http://www.usaid.gov

Perhaps Cuba and the US can negotiate about the Cuban Five with this one in detention.

[RedSonRising]

This is strange news...we'll have to wait and see more responses and Cuban-written articles on it to see how it will affect Cuba-US relations.

[FSL]

the person arrested is part of a new USAID program intended to "strengthen civil society in support of just and democratic governance in Cuba."




Yes, Honduras style.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

This is obviously because Cuba is a repressive dictatorship:rolleyes:

[Woyzeck]

a new USAID program intended to "strengthen civil society in support of just and democratic governance in Cuba."

Is it just me or does that sound like some sort of front for the CIA?

[Uncle Ho]

So Cuba jails what appears to be a CIA asset attempting to topple their government, and we are upset about this?

Imperialism is a wonderful thing.

[Delenda Carthago]

Is it just me or does that sound like some sort of front for the CIA?

get outa heeere!CIA dont do that kind of stuff!:lol:

[Raúl Duke]

Is it just me or does that sound like some sort of front for the CIA?

It probably is...most of these programs though exist probably with the urging of the Miami exile community. For example, there was an article about Radio Marti that stated that it was probably a waste of money/ineffective (and the government is aware of it) but continues anyway because of the Miami exile community.

I find this interesting, my father wanted to go to Cuba for market research (and analysis/prediction in how it would be in the case that the U.S. lifts the embargo/Cuba's economy "opens") for his industry (paints, refinishes, automotive paints) independently (not because of the gov or etc; just to make a report and bid it between PPG and DuPont) but decided not to go due to risks and rumors that you can't just be snooping around at Cuban automotive refinish/detail centers asking questions, etc.


Perhaps Cuba and the US can negotiate about the Cuban Five with this one in detention.

They could...Cuba needs to raise the issue to the U.S. though (have they discussed hostage trade yet?)

[RedSonRising]

I don't think they will use such leverage... it would create more problems than anything. They can attempt hard-line negotiations with this citizen and the hostages and risk getting strong-armed into giving him back....the international community might sympathize with Cuba but ultimately see it as illegal or an uncivil action, giving the US incentive to strengthen the embargo without too much hassle while Cuba remains 5-less.

Maybe they will nicely give it back and scold the US, saying "See, why can't you do the same?!" and perhaps apply slight international pressure that way, testing Obama's diplomacy and pressing their luck against a "more tolerant" relationship with the US. We all know the US will do what it wants to anyways, but in a time like this the government will not risk losing partners.

[leninpuncher]

..what appears to be a CIA asset
ho ho ho. The Cuban government hasn't even said what they imprisoned her for yet. But the organization she's working for has a name that sounds a little bit like something the CIA might use as a cover, so her connection to the CIA is now apparent in your head?

Try not to forget, that the government in Cuba has a history of throwing people in jail for pretty minor offences; one of which is hunger. So maybe hold back on the denunciations for a while, because you'll look pretty stupid if it turns out she was just complaining about the heat.

[Das war einmal]

ho ho ho. The Cuban government hasn't even said what they imprisoned her for yet. But the organization she's working for has a name that sounds a little bit like something the CIA might use as a cover, so her connection to the CIA is now apparent in your head?

Try not to forget, that the government in Cuba has a history of throwing people in jail for pretty minor offences; one of which is hunger. So maybe hold back on the denunciations for a while, because you'll look pretty stupid if it turns out she was just complaining about the heat.

Don't be ridicules.