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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.”
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