U.S. lawmakers meet with Castro; visit with Gross
By Paul Haven
From Associated Press
HAVANA – U.S. lawmakers confirmed on Wednesday that they visited Alan Gross, an American man whose detention and long sentence in Cuba has hampered efforts to improve ties between the countries, but they gave no details on his condition or what was said.
The seven-member delegation led by Sen. Patrick Leahy also met with Cuban President Raul Castro and other senior officials.
Leahy said that the two sides “discussed the continuing obstacles and the need to improve relations,” adding that a rapprochement “is in the interest of both countries.” The meeting was also covered in the Cuban press, with a front-page photo of a smiling Leahy and Castro seated at a small table in front of a thick clutch of palm fronds.
Two diplomatic sources on the island said the meeting with Castro went on for about three hours, and that the American lawmakers said the Cuban leader made a concerted effort to speak individually to each of them. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the visit publically. The State Department declined to comment.
Leahy spent his last morning in Cuba strolling around Central Havana, admiring the Capitol building, which is almost an exact replica of the one he works at in Washington. The Cuban version, people in Havana like to point out, is several inches higher.
The Vermont Democrat also saw a historic theater and snapped a photo of his wife standing next to a 1939 Ford Model A convertible with a rumble seat in the back.
“I’ve been to Cuba several times and I think that we’re at a time when I would hope that both our countries would adapt to the 21st century as far as relations,” Leahy told The Associated Press.
“I had very good talks with President Castro, (and) with others also, and I’ll talk to President Obama when I get back and I will fill him in on those talks. I’ll also give him my recommendations.”
Asked about Alan Gross’ condition, the senator did not give specifics. Gross has lost more than 100 pounds in prison since his arrest and is suffering from several chronic ailments.
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The congressional delegation also includes Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona; Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, along with Democratic Reps. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Van Hollen. They were scheduled to travel to Haiti next.
For the complete AP report, click here.
