US expels Cuban diplomat

Sunday, January 4, 2004

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The United States quietly expelled a diplomat from the Cuban Interests Section here last month, declaring him persona non grata for criminal behavior, the State Department said Saturday.

Brenda Greenberg, a department spokeswoman, said the diplomat had been "discovered to have engaged in activities incompatible with his diplomatic status."

"He has been declared persona non grata, requiring his departure from the United States," Greenberg said, adding that the diplomat had been notified of his expulsion on December 19 and had been given 10 days to leave.

She would not identify the diplomat or discuss details of the case, citing "the sensitivity of his actions."

But sources familiar with the situation said the expelled man had worked as a third secretary at the interests section, which is based in the Swiss embassy in Washington, and had been involved in "criminal activity."

It was not immediately clear if the criminal activity had involved spying, which is often the case when diplomats are expelled for what is euphemistically termed "activities incompatible with diplomatic status."

The man expelled in December was the 15th Cuban diplomat to have been thrown out of the United States in 2003.

In May, the State Department expelled a group of 14 Cubans, including seven based at the United Nations and seven from the interests section, for spying.

In November of 2002, the State Department expelled four Cuban diplomats for espionage.

Cuba is authorized to employ 26 diplomats at its interests section and 37 diplomats at its UN mission. 

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