In the Dark Cuba Cuts Off Power to US Diplomatic Mission Building in Havana

In the Dark: Cuba Cuts Off Power to U.S. Building
Cuba Cuts Off Power to U.S. Diplomatic Mission; Building in Havana Operating With Generator Power
By ANITA SNOW
The Associated Press

HAVANA - The Cuban government cut off electricity to the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana a week ago and U.S. requests for power to be restored have gone unanswered, U.S. officials said Monday.

The building has been operating with generator power.

"The regime's increasing resort to bullying tactics in dealing with USINT (United States Interests Section) and the Cuban people comes as no surprise," spokesman Drew Blakeney said in a statement.

The loss of power at the seven-story mission appeared to be the latest chapter in a flap over the U.S. government's use of the building to provide information to the Cuban people.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said from Washington that work at the mission continues, including interviews of refugees and outreach programs.

He said Cuban authorities also reduce the availability of water to the mission from time to time.

In January, President Fidel Castro complained about use of the U.S. mission to carry human rights messages to passersby on outdoor electronic signs.

Castro called the signs provocations.

Blakeney said the Cuban government also has refused to allow the section to import vehicles or hire Cubans for maintenance or construction jobs.

Blakeney also said there had been intrusions into the homes of American diplomats, and that Cuba has denied most visas for American officials who were supposed to work at the mission.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2068524

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