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State Department Expels Cuban Diplomat
By George Gedda, Associated
Press Writer . Sat Jan 3.
WASHINGTON, 3 - The State Department has
expelled a Cuban diplomat, accusing him
of associating with criminal elements, U.S.
officials said.
The expulsion of Roberto Socorro Garcia,
a third secretary at the Cuban mission in
Washington, was carried out last month without
announcement. Officials at the Cuban mission
did not immediately respond to messages
seeking comment.
Cuba has announced no retaliatory measures
in response to the expulsion, said the U.S.
officials, asking not to be identified.
The officials said that about 20 Cuban
diplomats have been expelled since late
2002. In May, the istration ordered
home seven Cuban diplomats in Washington
and seven more from the United Nations,
charging that all were engaged inappropriate
activities.
Four others were expelled in the fall of
2002.
Saturday was the 43rd anniversary of the
break in U.S. diplomatic relations with
Cuba, an event triggered by President Fidel
Castro's order to expel 76 U.S. diplomats,
accusing them of spy activities.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower responded
by severing diplomatic ties.
Relations have never been restored, but
since 1977 the two countries have operated
diplomatic missions in each other's capital.
Unlike embassies, these missions are not
headed by ambassadors.
President Bush said in October that the
United States would tighten enforcement
of its economic embargo on Cuba and provide
a haven to more fleeing Cubans while planning
for the day when Castro's rule comes to
an end.
"Clearly, the Castro regime will not
change by its own choice. But Cuba must
change," Bush said at the White House.
Bush said the United States also would
step up enforcement of existing restrictions
against the communist government, such as
the ban on American tourism, and would increase
inspections of people and shipments going
to and from Cuba.
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