MADRID, Spain – The release of Alan Gross from a Cuban prison is indeed welcome news especially for his wife Judy whom I know and has suffered enough.  I fully support the exchange of Gross for the three Cuban political prisoners.  It is a good and proportional deal.  Several years ago I traveled to Cuba to seek Gross’ release but was stymied when the Cubans first demanded the release of the Cuban Five.

The removal of Alan Gross as an issue between the United States and Cuba should pave the way for a serious improvement in the relationship on a variety of bilateral fronts such as taking Cuba off of the terrorism list and Cuba improving its human rights record.

My sincere hope is for Alan to get some privacy and medical attention as he is in ill health.