In letter to administration, Rubio vows to block ambassador to Cuba unless reforms made

In letter to administration, Rubio vows to block ambassador to Cuba
unless reforms made
BY CHRIS ADAMS
McClatchy Washington Bureau

— U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio vowed to oppose the confirmation of any nominee
to be U.S. ambassador to Cuba unless he sees "concrete results" on a set
of democratic and human rights issues.

The Republican from West Miami, who is running for president in a
crowded GOP field, wrote Secretary of State John Kerry, laying out his
demands.

Rubio has been a leader in Congress in pushing back on the White House's
opening to Cuba, which was announced in December. His comments echoed
previous statements on the matter; in February, for example, he noted
there are "multiple ways to stop an ambassador nomination, and I reserve
the right to use all of them."

The opening to Cuba is a multi-pronged effort that has already relaxed
some travel and financial restrictions, and is quickly moving toward the
establishment of a greater diplomatic presence in Havana. It could
eventually lead to a full lifting of the trade embargo with the country.
The White House can accomplish some steps on its own, while Congress
would need to weigh in on other aspects.

As it stands now, the U.S. diplomatic presence in Havana can function
without a confirmed ambassador, and some experts on Cuban issues are
skeptical the Senate would confirm one, no matter Rubio's stance.

Rubio's position, laid out in his letter, address four concerns: the
lack of political reforms on the island; the harboring of known
terrorists and other fugitives from U.S. justice; the outstanding
American property claims and judgments against the Cuban government; and
the limitations that continue to be placed on American diplomats working
in Havana.

He wrote: "I hope to see a free and democratic Cuba, but that means we
must confront the authoritarian Castro regime that suppresses its own
people, not acquiesce to their demands."

Source: In letter to administration, Rubio vows to block ambassador to
Cuba unless reforms made | Miami Herald Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article22804953.html