[Rags123]

since we are going to talk with Cuba, that we ask for Joanne Chesimard to be returned to the USA ???

She was a member of the Black Liberation Army and gunned down a New Jersey State Trooper. She is on the FBI most wanted terrorist list but lives nicely in Cuba where she was given political asylum.

She now uses another name Assata Shakur, at least I think that is correct.

[Buffalo Jim]

I have been thinking the same thing . I recall when she and her ilk assassinated a New Jersey Trooper who was attempting to make an apprehension .
It was a pure evil act and as I recall her organization made certain to proudly take credit for it .

As I have heard it reported there are 17 other high profile criminals who we know have been living in Cuba .

[redwitch]

Personally, I don't want her or her ilk back on American soil, even if it is straight to prison. Considering Cuba's history of trampling on human rights, maybe we could make it a proviso that any American on Cuban soil who is known to have committed a felony in the U.S. but ran to Cuba for asylum should be thrown in a Cuban jail to serve their time. Heck, I'd even be willing to pay into a fund to house those folks there.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Personally, I don't want her or her ilk back on American soil, even if it is straight to prison. Considering Cuba's history of trampling on human rights, maybe we could make it a proviso that any American on Cuban soil who is known to have committed a felony in the U.S. but ran to Cuba for asylum should be thrown in a Cuban jail to serve their time. Heck, I'd even be willing to pay into a fund to house those folks there.

No Castro brother is going to put such a hero into a Cuban prison where one would want execution rather than endure more of their torture.

Anybody who thinks that regime would do ANYTHING positive for the U.S.A is an utter fool or despot needing more enablers!

[njbchbum]

If Joanne Chesimard is NOT returned to the United States to serve out her original sentence and be prosecuted on additional charges, the President should NOT discuss one iota of other business with Cuba!!!!!

[Hancle704]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

If Joanne Chesimard is NOT returned to the United States to serve out her original sentence and be prosecuted on additional charges, the President should NOT discuss one iota of other business with Cuba!!!!!

Amen. And while Gitmo is still open with some vacancies that would be a fitting stop off. Time to consider having Donald Trump make the deals with Raul Castro instead of some DC lightweights.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

If Joanne Chesimard is NOT returned to the United States to serve out her original sentence and be prosecuted on additional charges, the President should NOT discuss one iota of other business with Cuba!!!!!

Unfortunately we are beyond that step already IMO.

[redwitch]

It wouldn't happen regardless of who negotiates or who is President. It would destroy the concept if political asylum and that would be a far greater travesty than letting some criminals live out their lives in another country. Would you be willing for America to go back in íts word and force an individual we had given political asylum to return to a country they had fled for whatever reason, knowing that person would be, at best imprisoned? As much as I would like to see justice prevail, political asylum should be sacrosanct for all nations.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

If Joanne Chesimard is NOT returned to the United States to serve out her original sentence and be prosecuted on additional charges, the President should NOT discuss one iota of other business with Cuba!!!!!

How about the same policy for other countries who have US fugitives and are friends of the USA such as Costa Rica, Spain, Thailand, and Netherlands?

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by redwitch

It wouldn't happen regardless of who negotiates or who is President. It would destroy the concept if political asylum and that would be a far greater travesty than letting some criminals live out their lives in another country. Would you be willing for America to go back in íts word and force an individual we had given political asylum to return to a country they had fled for whatever reason, knowing that person would be, at best imprisoned? As much as I would like to see justice prevail, political asylum should be sacrosanct for all nations.

Not to argue the concept of asylum, but I'm pretty sure the U.S. tried hard to get Snowden extradited from Russia, and would still like to get him back here.

Giving asylum to dissidents speaking out about their torturous government (think Cuba) and do no harm to the receiving nation is one thing. But giving it to known, convicted felons or self-admitted spies is a whole other thing!

US tells Russia: 'We won't torture Edward Snowden if he is extradited home' - Americas - World - The Independent

[redwitch]

It is one thing to ask that asylum not be given. It is another to demand the return of someone given asylum in return for trade agreements. America has allowed in more than its share of spies, felons, traitors. So has the USSR, Cuba, China, England, Germany, France .... To us, the murder of the two police officers was a crime. Cuba saw it as an act of dissidence and heroism.

So, regardless of how the people feel, the American government is not going to open up Cuba with a proviso to return Ms. Chesimard to us. Not gonna happen. Not by those presently in office. Not by anyone who was formerly in office. Not by someone who might be in office in the future.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by redwitch

It is one thing to ask that asylum not be given. It is another to demand the return of someone given asylum in return for trade agreements. America has allowed in more than its share of spies, felons, traitors. So has the USSR, Cuba, China, England, Germany, France .... To us, the murder of the two police officers was a crime. Cuba saw it as an act of dissidence and heroism.

So, regardless of how the people feel, the American government is not going to open up Cuba with a proviso to return Ms. Chesimard to us. Not gonna happen. Not by those presently in office. Not by anyone who was formerly in office. Not by someone who might be in office in the future.

I agree with you. I believe in the rule of law and thus, it is what it is.

I was leaning to side with this move but now reconsidering. Since Cuba has said what they will NOT be doing, ie. will stay communist, will not release any of those under asylum, and you brought up another good point. They treat these folks as heros.

90 miles is a bit close for any terrorist or criminal to flee to and I think part of the deal is to make it EASIER to do so. Seems it may benefit the tourist industry, airlines and Cuba economy. Gotta do some more reading on this thing.