US govt urged to mend relations with Cuba

HAVANA - A US Congressional delegation on Wednesday urged President Donald Trump's administration to improve relations with Cuba amid tensions stemming from alleged "acoustic attacks" against US diplomatic personnel in Cuba.

At a news conference after a trip to Cuba where they met President Raul Castro and other government officials, the delegation, led by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, talked of the need to return to an era of engagement and cooperation.

"It's important for the Trump administration to stop falling back on Cold War policy that didn't make sense decades ago and makes less sense now," Senator Ron Wyden said.

The delegation began their visit on Monday by meeting with Cuban Foreign Ministry officials to talk about the alleged attacks suffered by US diplomats in the Caribbean nation.

More than 20 US diplomats suffered health problems between November 2016 and August 2017, which Washington called "acoustic attacks".

The incidents led to the partial closure of the US embassy in Havana and a halt in issuing US visas.

"We need to get back our embassy fully staffed. ... There is no way we are going to have improved relations if we don't have the personnel here to do it," Leahy said.

The delegation said it was a mistake for the Trump administration to make political decisions based on an inconclusive investigation.

"I have no idea what happened to our diplomats here, US agencies that are investigating this matter also don't seem to have a clue and we may never know. It was a mistake to cut back on our diplomatic personnel in Cuba," Representative Jim McGovern said.

The US State Department issued a travel warning last year, telling its citizens not to visit Cuba as some of the alleged attacks ostensibly occurred in hotels.

"It was a mistake to put out a travel advisory on Cuba warning Americans about their safety if they travel here. We feel safe in Cuba and I urge the Secretary of State to cancel this advisory," McGovern added.

The delegation's visit has been described as a "fact-finding trip" about the changes in Washington's policy toward Cuba.

"For too long our policy toward Cuba has been guided by paranoia and suspicion, ... it has resulted in a policy that I would characterize as stupid. We need to learn from our history - 50 years of hostility and estrangement was bad for the US and Cuba," McGovern said.

Last year, Trump backpedaled on thawing ties with Havana by limiting trade with and travel to the Caribbean nation.

US companies are forbidden from engaging in any type of commercial activities with about 180 Cuban companies associated with the Cuban armed forces. US citizens are restricted from making individual trips to the island.

Xinhua

(China Daily 02/23/2018 page11)