Richardson has yet to meet with jailed American in Cuba

Richardson has yet to meet with jailed American in Cuba
From Shasta Darlington, CNN
September 9, 2011 -- Updated 1702 GMT (0102 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- American's release is key to improving U.S.-Cuba relations, Richardson
says
- The former New Mexico governor is seeking to get Alan Gross freed
- The State Department calls it a private trip by Richardson, but
supports his efforts
- Cuba says Gross was trying to set up illegal Internet connections

Havana, Cuba (CNN) -- Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who
arrived in Cuba this week to try to negotiate the release of jailed
American contractor Alan Gross, said Friday he has not been allowed to
meet with him.

Richardson said he won't leave Cuba until he has an opportunity to meet
with Gross. He arrived in Havana Wednesday.

"I was informed by the Cuban government that one of my requests -- to
see Alan Gross in his hospital -- would not be possible," Richardson
told reporters Friday. "I feel that is something that I need to do. I
promised his wife, Judy, that I would visit him. There are reports of
Mr. Gross' health deteriorating."

Richardson had planned to leave Saturday afternoon, but said he will now
stay until he sees Gross.

"My main message is that the key to improving relations between the U.S.
and Cuba -- which has been one of my objectives -- is the release of
American Alan Gross," he said.

An exclusive report Wednesday by CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "The Situation
Room" said Richardson was invited by the Cuban government for the
specific mission of trying to negotiate the release of Gross. Richardson
is expected to spend "the next few days" in Havana, Blitzer reported.

"We are aware of Gov. Richardson's trip to Cuba and have been in contact
with him," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told CNN. "While
Gov. Richardson is traveling as a private citizen, we certainly support
his efforts to obtain Alan Gross' release."

A statement issued Wednesday on behalf of the Gross family said, "We are
pleased that the Cuban government invited Gov. Richardson to Havana."

"We welcome any and all dialogue that ultimately will result in Alan's
release," the statement said. "We are grateful to Governor Richardson
for his continued efforts."

Last month, Cuba's highest court upheld the 15-year sentence imposed on
Gross for trying to set up illegal Internet connections on the island,
according to Cuban state media reports.

Gross, 62, was jailed in December 2009, when he was working as a
subcontractor on a U.S. Agency for International Development project
aimed at spreading democracy. His actions were deemed illegal by Cuban
authorities.

Gross says he was trying to help connect the Jewish community to the
Internet and was not a threat to the government.

The case plunged U.S.-Cuba relations to a new low after signs of thawing
when President Barack Obama took office. The State Department has said
no progress will be made until Gross is released.

Former President Jimmy Carter visited Cuba earlier this year and tried
to secure the aid worker's release on humanitarian grounds, arguing that
Gross' mother and daughter are battling cancer. But he went home
empty-handed.

U.S. officials say they hope the Cuban government will consider
releasing Gross early now that the courts have had their say.

The Gross family statement expressed hope that Richardson and Cuban
authorities "are able to find common ground that will allow us to be
reunited as a family before the Jewish High Holy Days," which begin on
September 28 this year with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/09/09/richardson.gross/index.html?eref=rss_world