So is all agenda-pushing supremacism:
"Top Cuban court to hear appeal by jailed American subcontractor; US sees case as key to improving ties" July 22, 2011|By Paul Haven, Associated Press
HAVANA - A hearing before Cuba’s Supreme Court today will offer jailed American subcontractor Alan Gross a last chance to get his 15-year sentence for sneaking communications equipment onto the island dismissed.
The case of the 62-year-old Maryland native, who has been in jail since his arrest in December 2009, has undermined already faltering efforts at rapprochement between the Cold War enemies.
Gross was working on a USAID program meant to foster democracy on the Communist-run island, and Cuba considers such programs subversive, pointing out that until recently US government literature overtly described their aim as fostering regime change.
Also see: Cubans Holding CIA Spy
CIA in Cuba
Other than some small island nations, name a place where they are not.
American officials say privately that they hold little hope that Gross’s conviction will be thrown out altogether following oral arguments today, but they say the hearing could clear the way for the Cuban government to release him on humanitarian grounds.
Cuban officials have been quietly telling their American counterparts for months that they are sympathetic to Gross’s personal ordeal: He has lost 100 pounds while in jail, his 27-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer, his elderly mother is also ailing, his wife is recovering from surgery, and the family has been forced to sell their home.
But they have also indicated that the legal process must play out before they even consider a presidential pardon or other form of humanitarian release. US consular officials are expected to be present at today’s hearing, as is Gross’s Cuban attorney. Gross’s American lawyer, Peter Kahn, issued a statement Wednesday saying his client’s wife, Judy, will not be able to attend because she is still recovering from surgery for an undisclosed ailment.
It is not clear when the Cuban high court might rule following the hearing, though the tribunal usually issues decisions within a couple of weeks.
A senior State Department official said Washington has warned Cuban leaders that progress cannot be made in bilateral relations until Gross is freed.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss the case publicly, expressed frustration with the mixed message the United States has received from Cuban officials in recent months.
“Either they change their mind every day, which is possible, or they are giving different people different messages, or they are confused, or they are disorganized,’’ the official said, adding that the United States had never received an outright promise that Gross would be freed....
One American who could play a key role in helping bring Gross home is Jimmy Carter. The former president met with Gross when he visited the island in March. Despite being showered with kind words by both Castro brothers, the 86-year-old former president left empty-handed, with Gross still in jail.
Related: Carter visits Cuba amid USAID flap
Amazing how the Jewish angle was obfuscated in this piece, 'eh?
--more--"
Also see: President Carter Cries For Palestine
Jimmy must be back in the Zionist fold.
