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US and Cuba in immigration talks US calls on Cuba to release 'spy'
(about 9 hours later)
Senior US and Cuban officials have started direct talks in Havana on immigration issues. American diplomats have called on Cuba to release a US citizen held since December without charge.
This is the latest sign of improved relations between the two former Cold War adversaries. However hopes of major breakthroughs have begun to recede. The release of Alan Gross, 60, was discussed during talks about migration in Havana, the US said.
The US delegation is led by Craig Kelly, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Cuba's president has accused him of spying, but his family say he was distributing communication equipment to Jewish groups.
Mr Kelly is the most senior government official to visit Cuba in many years. The issue has overshadowed the resumption of high-level talks between the Cold War adversaries.
Bush freeze Top diplomats from both countries held talks for about five hours in Havana, focusing on migration issues.
The two sides used to hold regular, twice yearly immigration talks, aimed at avoiding the mass exodus of Cubans heading for Miami on small boats. Afterwards the Cuban government said the meeting had taken place "in an atmosphere of respect", but made no mention of Mr Gross's case.
The US says he went to Cuba on a programme funded by the US Agency for International Development, and he had visited the country before on the same programme.
Easing tensions
Cuban President Raul Castro has said Mr Gross used "sophisticated" communications equipment to help opposition groups in their role as "mercenaries" for the US, AFP news agency reported.
Apart from the issue of the detention, the US State Department said that "engaging in these talks underscores our interest in pursuing constructive discussions with the government of Cuba to advance US interests on issues of mutual concern".
The US delegation was led by Craig Kelly, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs - the most senior US official to visit Cuba in many years.
The two sides used to hold regular, twice-yearly immigration talks, aimed at avoiding the mass exodus of Cubans.
But the Bush administration froze all contacts with Cuba.But the Bush administration froze all contacts with Cuba.
Relations have eased under President Obama with the resumption of direct negotiations on areas of mutual interest. Relations have eased under President Barack Obama with the resumption of direct negotiations on areas of mutual interest.
He has also lifted all restrictions on Cuban Americans visiting and sending money to relatives on the island.He has also lifted all restrictions on Cuban Americans visiting and sending money to relatives on the island.
But hopes of a major breakthrough in ending this leftover conflict from the Cold War are rapidly disappearing.
The US still insists that Cuba shows progress on human rights and democracy before lifting the 50 year-old trade embargo.
One shadow overhanging the meeting is the fate of a US government contractor who was arrested in December after allegedly handing out satellite communication equipment to religious groups.
He has not been charged yet, but Cuba's President Raul Castro has accused him of espionage.
The US delegation is hoping to raise the issue with their Cuban counterparts.