Robert Weiner, event coordinator and moderator, and Ben Lasky, onsite coordinator reported that Former Cuban political prisoner Alan Gross told a packed National Press Club Newsmaker Tuesday that next week’s visit to the island by President Obama was “very timely” and had the potential to expand Cuba’s embargo-hamstrung economy from 11 percent private sector to 90 percent by more open communication, including full internet access. “Information is food for the brain,” and would allow learning and better product development including poultry feeding and agriculture land improvement, areas of potential Cuban economic strength, Gross asserted. US businesses including “Maryland’s huge poultry industry” could benefit as well as the Cuban people. “Food security is a real issue for Cuba.”
“Even though Obama is going to a baseball game, Congress should step up to the plate,” Gross contended. “He should not meet with Fidel, who represents the past, human rights abuses, and crimes against humanity. Raul no longer represents those things. He and Obama are pragmatic.” Gross said the trip March 20 will help Obama, “manage his legacy,” assuming he discusses, “human rights and abuses of power, of which the Cuban government is grossly guilty.”
Gross spent five years in a Cuban prison from 2009-2014 and was introduced as Obama’s guest at the 2015 State of the Union a month after he was freed.
Gross said he worked for an AID subcontractor to establish broadband connectivity and his imprisonment was “arbitrary.” He said the government had vans tracking internet radio transmissions all over the island. One turned up outside his working area. In addition, “the government has a record of every email.”
During his imprisonment he lost 110 pounds, several teeth, and the use of joints. He went on a nine day hunger strike to protest his treatment until his Mother asked him to end the strike. For the duration of his five years, he survived on “daily exercise” and “faith”.
Gross said his release was due a “grass roots effort” led by his wife, Judy, and his lawyer, with visits to him by former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn, and outreach by Cong. Chris Van Hollen, Senator Patrick Leahy, the Pope, Teamsters Union President Jimmy Hoffa Jr., and Jewish and Interfaith religious organizations. He said President Carter reported to him in a jail visit that Raul Castro said to him, “I know Alan’s not a spy.” He said all these interventions allowed Oval Office assistance, which culminated with a call from President Obama upon his release.
Open communication including land-based internet has not happened, according to Gross, because “the Cuban government has fear in its DNA.” The government’s computer service is a far costlier satellite system. He said there has now been “progress” with “hot spots opening, it’s better.” However, he said it’s so “expensive” that most people can’t afford it.
He said Cuban economic problems are “not because of the embargo,” and blaming the embargo “is a lot of boloney. The real problem is little opportunity for growth or advancement,” without the information from open communication that could lead to knowing how to create “productivity.” He added, “Obama is bringing hope and private industry who will invest. Now Congress needs to end the embargo.”
He concluded that “despite the sensory deprivation during my imprisonment…I’m not bitter. I’m a happy camper. I’m free. I can walk a straight line, not a circle. I walk 4-6 miles a day.”
He added that he’d happily return to the island to help future communication if invited.
He reported that U.S. agencies did provide him a “settlement” on his return but that he believes long-term US political prisoners should be allowed to sue the government and are not permitted by law.