The Capitolio
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is spending the week in Cuba "and he's paying his own way because of the state's budget problems," the Associated Press reports.
He was due to fly to Havana today and return on Friday, his spokeswoman told the AP.
Joining Richardson will be:
* State Agriculture Department Secretary I. Miley GonzalezThis is being touted as a trade mission and nothing more. But if anyone can make diplomatic inroads, it's Richardson.
* Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman
* Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Katherine Miller.
* Richardson Deputy Chief of Staff Gilbert Gallegos.
Over the years, he's been a diplomatic troubleshooter in many countries, including Iraq, North Korea and the Sudan.
He's the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He met with Fidel Castro in 1996 and negotiated the release of three political prisoners.
3 comments:
When Bill Clinton was in Pyongyang, I thought he would be next in line for a Cuba trip.
Maybe HC didn't want him on the Galiano Trail.
I agree with you that this is no ordinary vending mission. Richardson's entourage can sell the produce while Richardson engages the Castros in other, more fruitful conversation.
yeah, it'll be interesting to see if anything comes of the trip
Post a Comment