Statement from director of
U.S. relations for Cuban Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
On December 3, press media
in the United States reported information about a letter from 66 Democratic,
Republican and independent U.S. Senators to President Barack Obama, in relation
to U.S. citizen Alan Gross, who is serving a prison term in Cuba.
The Senators urged the
President to afford humanitarian priority to the freeing of Mr. Gross and take
whatever steps necessary in the “national interest” of the U.S. to expedite his
release, expressing their willingness to support him in the accomplishment of this
objective.
In reference to this
development, the general director for U.S. relations within the Cuban Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, released the following statement:
“The Cuban government
reiterates its willingness to immediately establish a dialogue with the United
States government, to find a solution in the case of Mr. Gross based upon
reciprocity, reflecting the humanitarian concerns of Cuba linked to the case of
the four Cuban anti-terrorists imprisoned in the United States.
Gerardo Hernández, Ramón
Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando González, who are part of the Five, are
serving prolonged, unjust prison terms for crimes they did not commit, which
were never proven. This incarceration is taking a severe human toll on them and
their families. They have not seen their children grow; they have lost mothers,
fathers and siblings; faced health problems and been separated from their
families and their homeland for more than 15 years.”
Josefina Vidal also
referred to a communiqué released by the U.S. State Department on December 2,
which insisted on the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Gross, arguing
that his incarceration is unjustified. She recalled:
“Mr. Alan Gross was
detained, prosecuted and sanctioned for violating Cuban law while he
implemented a program financed by the U.S. government which had as its
objective destabilizing Cuba’s constitutional order through the establishment
of illegal, undercover communications systems, with non-commercial technology.
These actions constitute serious crimes which are severely punished in most
countries, including the United States.
Mr. Gross has received
dignified and humane treatment since his arrest.
Cuba understands the
humanitarian concerns related to the case of Mr. Gross, but believes that
the U.S. government bears responsibility for his situation and that of his
family, and must therefore work with the Cuban government in the search for a
solution."
Havana, December 3, 2013
