Relations With Cuba

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/opinion/relations-with-cuba.html

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To the Editor:

Re “U.S. Expels 15 Cuban Diplomats From Embassy” (front page, Oct. 4):

The mysterious “sonic attack” on American Embassy personnel in Cuba is undoubtedly worrying. But President Raúl Castro summoned the top American envoy to express his concern, offer assistance and allow in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, hardly normal procedure for the Cuban government.

Considering President Castro’s actions, and given that personnel from Canada, with which Cuba has long maintained a cordial relationship, were also attacked, the State Department is right not to accuse the Cuban government of complicity.

If Cuba is not responsible for the attack, the expulsion of its diplomats should be read as an assault on the improved relations between it and the United States. Although undermining progress made in the Obama administration would harm American business interests from agriculture to airlines and would damage America’s image on the world stage, it remains clear that the north star of the Trump administration is simply to break anything with President Barack Obama’s name on it.

A majority of Americans support improved relations with Cuba. If the Trump administration wishes to go after Cold War adversaries, maybe it should start with Russia.

OLIVER KENDALL, WASHINGTON