White House urges Cuba to release US contractor
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- An outraged White House said Saturday it wants the Cuban
government to immediately release an American international development
worker sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes against the state.
National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said the prison term
"adds another injustice" to Alan Gross's ordeal.
Vietor said Gross, a Maryland native arrested in December 2009 while on
a U.S.-backed democracy-building project, has already spent too many
days in detention and "should not spend one more."
Gross was found guilty by a Cuban court on Saturday. The court said the
program Gross worked on showed that the U.S. still seeks to overthrow
the Cuban government.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley echoed that sentiment.
"We deplore this ruling. Alan Gross is a dedicated international
development worker who has devoted his life to helping people in more
than 50 countries," Crowley said in a statement. "He was in Cuba to help
the Cuban people connect with the rest of the world."
The Obama administration and Gross' family say he was working to improve
Internet access for Cuba's Jewish community. Havana accused Gross of
working on a "subversive" program.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/12/2112057/white-house-urges-cuba-to-release.html
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