Hostage-for-Prisoners Swap Unlikely

In The Miami Herald:

U.S.: Trading Alan Gross for Cuban spies is unlikely

Asked if a Gross-for-spies swap might be possible, a State Department official replied, ‘No, I don’t think so.’

Cuba’s offer to swap U.S. government subcontractor Alan Gross for five Cuban spies convicted in Miami is not at all acceptable to Washington, a senior State Department official affirmed Monday on the third anniversary of Gross’ arrest.

Asked directly if a Gross-for-spies swap might be possible during President Barack Obama’s next four years in the White House, the official replied, “No, I don’t think so.”

“We reject the notion of linkage,” added the official, who met with several journalists in Miami but asked for anonymity under State Department procedures. “There is no parallel between the two cases.”