Richardson offers to mediate Cuba talks

Richardson offers to mediate Cuba talks
ALBUQUERQUE, Sept. 16 (UPI) --

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson says he's offered to mediate talks
between Cuba and anti-Castro Cuban-Americans.

Speaking Tuesday at the University of New Mexico, Richardson, who
visited the communist island nation last month with a state delegation,
said he has presented the idea to unnamed Cuban-American leaders, as
well as to top Cuban officials, the Albuquerque Journal reported Wednesday.

"They weren't enthusiastic about this -- but they didn't say no,"
Richardson said of his talks in Havana.

The one-time Democratic U.S. presidential candidate has emerged as one
of the most visible advocates of opening a dialogue between the Cuban
government and anti-communist expatriates living in the United States,
drawing criticism from the latter, the newspaper said. But Tuesday he
defended his efforts, saying that the Cubans eventually "are going to
have to make some moves toward democracy" before the 47-year-old U.S.
trade embargo can be lifted.

Richardson said Havana could respond to U.S. moves to ease travel
restrictions by permitting Cubans to travel abroad more freely or
releasing certain political prisoners, the Journal said.

Richardson offers to mediate Cuba talks (16 September 2009)
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