Frm New Mexico Gov. urges Cuban govt to release jailed American скачать в хорошем качестве

Frm New Mexico Gov. urges Cuban govt to release jailed American

(9 Sep 2011) 1. Wide shot Bill Richardson arriving at Hotel Nacional gardens 2. Cutaway press 3. Reverse shot Bill Richardson with press 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Richardson, Former New Mexico Governor: "Unfortunately I think this whole case has become political. And so my main point is that if Alan Gross is released on humanitarian grounds, the relationship between the United States and Cuba will improve. It''s important that however we discuss Alan Gross and refer to him that he be released. He served, he''s been in detention for two years. The legal process has ended and my hope is that the Cuban government now considers a humanitarian release." 5. Wide shot Richardson with press 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Richardson, Former New Mexico Governor: "I promised his wife Judy that I would visit him. There are reports of Mr Gross'' health deteriorating. The American Consul visited him yesterday and reported some serious health problems." 7. Wide shot Richardson with press 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Richardson, Former New Mexico Governor: "I came here in good faith; I''ve had good conversations. This issue is not over, but I just wanted to send a signal that I''m staying here in Havana until I get to see Alan Gross." 9. Wide shot Richardson standing up 10. Medium shot Richardson leaving STORYLINE: A standoff between former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and the Cuban government stretched into a second day on Friday, with the US statesman insisting he will not quit the island until he is allowed to meet a jailed American he says is ailing and ought to be sent home. Richardson spoke to the press on Friday and mentioned that he was concerned about the health of 62-year-old Alan Gross. A native of Maryland, Mr Gross is serving a 15-year sentence for bringing communications equipment into the island illegally as part of a USAID-funded democracy building programme that Cuba sees as a thinly veiled attempt to overthrow the government. Mr Gross has reportedly lost 100 pounds (45 kilograms) since his arrest in December 2009, Richardson said he had no timetable for leaving Cuba unless he sees him. Richardson, who had described Gross as a "hostage" in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Thursday night, toned down his remarks somewhat on Friday. "He''s been in detention for two years. The legal process has ended and my hope is that the Cuban government now considers a humanitarian release." The New Mexico politician said he had been invited to come by the Cuban government, adding that he did so "in good faith." His arrival Wednesday raised hope that Gross might soon be freed. Richardson has decades of experience negotiating prisoner releases around the world, and he had enjoyed warm ties to the island''s communist leaders in the past. He also has been in close contact with the Obama Administration, despite the fact he is here as a private citizen. But optimism for the trip quickly faded when Richardson told AP that Cuban leaders had told him he would not be allowed to even see Gross at a military hospital where he is being held, a courtesy that has been extended to virtually every delegation of visiting Americans in recent months. Richardson, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, gave more details of his efforts on Friday, saying he had spent hours discussing Gross''s case with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez but had so far been unable to change the Cuban official''s mind. Relations between Washington and Havana were already in the deep freeze, with US officials saying repeatedly that better ties are impossible while Gross remains in jail. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...