U.S.-CUBA POLICY
Spying case could hamper U.S.-Cuba talks on migration, mail
The arrest of a couple accused of spying for Cuba could further
complicate White House efforts to improve relations with Havana.
BY LESLEY CLARK AND FRANCES ROBLES
lclark@MiamiHerald.com
WASHINGTON -- As a couple accused of spying for Cuba head to federal
court Wednesday, Cuba watchers say the latest case of espionage could
crimp the Obama administration's efforts to renew talks with the
government in Havana.
The arrests last week of former State Department employee Walter Kendall
Myers and his wife, Gwendolyn Steingraber Myers, came as the Cuban
government agreed to an overture by the U.S. State Department to resume
long-suspended discussions on migration and direct mail between the two
countries.
But with some critics of the regime opposed to renewing the talks until
Cuba has shown some democratic change, analysts suggest momentum could slow.
Sen. Mel Martinez said Tuesday he might send a letter to President
Barack Obama asking for a briefing on ``this issue, as well as
counterintelligence efforts in regards to Cuba.''
`RECURRING THEME'
''This is a very disturbing, recurring theme,'' the Florida Republican
said. ``This is a government that very aggressively goes after
intelligence information in our country and I think it affects our
broader relationship with Cuba.''
Martinez suggested the administration should postpone the talks between
diplomats, saying ``we don't know how those talks could have been
compromised by what has been disclosed to the Cubans. I think it would
be foolish for us to be in negotiations with one arm tied behind our back.''
The U.S. State Department has said it wants to reopen the talks --
suspended by the Bush administration in 2004 -- to 'reaffirm both sides'
commitment to safe, legal and orderly migration.''
''This case should not have an impact on the talks, but it will,'' said
Wayne Smith, a former head of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana who
advocates normal relations between the two countries.
'You already have people like Sen. Mel Martinez saying, `We can't trust
these guys. We have to be very, very careful.' Well of course you have
to be careful! They have their intelligence operations, and we have
ours. This case will cause interruptions, cause heartburn and cause
Washington to move slowly.''
State Department spokeswoman Heide Bronke declined to comment on the case.
A senior U.S. official said Washington had not yet scheduled a time or
place for the migration talks, which traditionally were held twice a year.
It is unclear, the official said, whether the Myers case will affect the
scheduling of new talks.
''The approach the president has laid out on Cuba is based on our
interests and values. These will be the determining factors,'' the
official said, requesting anonymity because the case is still under
investigation. ``When it is in our interest to proceed, we will do so.''
Many experts stress that it is no surprise that Cuba, with one of the
world's most sophisticated intelligence operations, has spies throughout
the United States -- including on the federal government payroll.
''The United States does the same thing with countries we classify as a
terrorist state -- I expect there are hundreds of others out there,''
said Joe Garcia, a board member of the Cuban American National
Foundation. ``This is just an excuse for the fearful not to take action.''
Garcia and Smith agreed that it was unlikely that Myers -- who last
worked as a European analyst for the State Department's Bureau of
Intelligence and Research and taught at John Hopkins University -- knew
any secrets that would compromise national security.
''This is not James Bond,'' Garcia said. ``This is Maxwell Smart.''
A U.S. official said of potential talks with the Cuban government: ``We
go into this with our eyes open.''
Chris Simmons, a veteran spy catcher and former Defense Intelligence
Agency analyst, said Cuba is among the most voracious intelligence
gatherers in the world and often sells the information to other countries.
''Kendall Myers is a perfect example of the undeniability of Cuba's
intelligence trafficking,'' Simmons said. ``From a what's-in-it-for-Cuba
standpoint, he might offer little, but combine that with his access to
European analysis and students at John Hopkins, he would have served as
an intelligence link.''
DETENTION HEARING
The Myerses, who pleaded not guilty last week to charges of conspiracy
and serving as clandestine agents, are due to appear at a detention
hearing Wednesday. U.S. District Magistrate John M. Facciola is to
determine whether the couple -- being held in jail without bail --
should remain behind bars.
They face more than 30 years in jail, and federal prosecutors are
seeking the return of Myers' State Department income and the couple's
retirement savings.
Spying case could hamper U.S.-Cuba talks on migration, mail - Front Page
- MiamiHerald.com (10 June 2009)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/front-page/story/1089982.html
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