US Expels Cuban Diplomats

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Trump toughened US policy toward Cuba instead of responsibly easing it. 

He was reversing a "one-sided deal," he outrageously blustered, adding he intended to "expose the crimes of the Castro regime" - deplorable comments.

Improved bilateral relations under his administration aren't possible. Claiming his policy is "guided by key US national security interests and solidarity with the Cuban people" is pure rubbish.

Commercial ties to the island state won't be established while he and/or other US hardliners are in power. Nor will the country become a destination for American tourists.

In July, Raul Castro blasted his hardline stance, rolling back woefully inadequate measures Obama instituted. As long as Cuba remains sovereign and independent, meaningful improvement in relations won't happen.

Addressing Cuba's National Assembly last month, Castro "reject(ed) (the Trump administration's) manipulation of the topic of human rights against Cuba, that can be proud of much in this area, and does not need to receive lessons from the United States nor anyone."

He welcomes improved bilateral relations with Washington, not at the expense of unacceptable "concessions inherent to one's sovereignty and independence."

On the pretext of "physical symptoms" experienced by US embassy personnel in Havana, allegedly affecting their hearing, the Trump administration expelled two Cuban diplomats from Havana's Washington embassy, a shameful act.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said "(w)e first heard of these incidents back in late 2016." Some US personnel returned to America.

Cuban staff left in May. According to Nauert, "it's not reciprocity." On Wednesday, AP News said hearing loss experienced by US diplomatic staff was attributed to a covert inaudible sonic device.

Cuba's Foreign Ministry stressed its government "has never, nor would it ever, allow that the Cuban territory be used for any action against accredited diplomatic agents or their families."

"It reiterate(d) its willingness to cooperate in the clarification of this situation."

Nauert said the State Department "reminded the Cuban government of its obligations under the Vienna Convention to protect our diplomats. (It's) taking these incidents very seriously and is working to determine the cause and impact of the incidents. The Cuban government has assured us that it is also investigating and taking appropriate measures."

Cuba justifiably objects being lectured to by the world's leading aggressor/human rights abuser on a global scale about its diplomatic obligations, human rights or anything else.

"The United States is not in a position to give us lessons," its Foreign Ministry said. It objected to the expulsion of its citizens, adding new hostile actions are "doomed to fail…"

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