Trump Blames Cuba for Attacks That Sickened U.S. Diplomats
- 7 years ago
Trump Blames Cuba for Attacks That Sickened U.S. Diplomats
16, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Monday that he blamed Cuba for the mysterious attacks
that sickened American diplomats there and prompted the abrupt withdrawal of United States embassy personnel from Havana.
Still, Mr. Trump, who initially lavished praise on Mr. Duterte, has soured on him in recent months, after the Filipino leader said he might be too busy to accept an invitation to the White House
and called the United States "lousy." Mr. Trump has told advisers he does not want to meet with Mr. Duterte, according to a person familiar with the plans.
Administration officials said on Monday that Mr. Trump had merely been making
the same point when he said that Cuba was "responsible" for the misdeeds.
"We believe the Cuban government could stop the attacks on our diplomats," John F. Kelly,
the White House chief of staff, told reporters last week when asked about Cuba’s role.
Among the other issues to be ironed out with his trip to Asia, Mr. Trump said on Monday, was whether he would go to the demilitarized zone separating North
and South Korea, a traditional stop for American presidents who have visited Seoul since the Korean War.
"It’s a very unusual attack, but I do believe Cuba is responsible, yes." The statement went further than top members of Mr. Trump’s administration, who have argued
that even though they do not know who or what is to blame, the attacks could not occur without Cuba’s knowledge and assent, and therefore Cuba must have the power to halt them.
16, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Monday that he blamed Cuba for the mysterious attacks
that sickened American diplomats there and prompted the abrupt withdrawal of United States embassy personnel from Havana.
Still, Mr. Trump, who initially lavished praise on Mr. Duterte, has soured on him in recent months, after the Filipino leader said he might be too busy to accept an invitation to the White House
and called the United States "lousy." Mr. Trump has told advisers he does not want to meet with Mr. Duterte, according to a person familiar with the plans.
Administration officials said on Monday that Mr. Trump had merely been making
the same point when he said that Cuba was "responsible" for the misdeeds.
"We believe the Cuban government could stop the attacks on our diplomats," John F. Kelly,
the White House chief of staff, told reporters last week when asked about Cuba’s role.
Among the other issues to be ironed out with his trip to Asia, Mr. Trump said on Monday, was whether he would go to the demilitarized zone separating North
and South Korea, a traditional stop for American presidents who have visited Seoul since the Korean War.
"It’s a very unusual attack, but I do believe Cuba is responsible, yes." The statement went further than top members of Mr. Trump’s administration, who have argued
that even though they do not know who or what is to blame, the attacks could not occur without Cuba’s knowledge and assent, and therefore Cuba must have the power to halt them.