Diplomacy

Jimmy Carter Arrives in Cuba

Will discuss imprisoned U.S. contractor.

Former President Jimmy Carter landed in Havana, Cuba, kicking off the beginning of a three-day visit. He's expected to discuss the U.S. contractor Alan Gross, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for providing Internet access to Cuban dissidents as part of a controversial U.S. program—though Cuban officials said not to expect the former president to take the American home with him. If Carter succeeds in laying the groundwork for Gross' release, it won’t be the first time he's served as an emergency diplomat: Last summer, he secured the release of Americans imprisoned in North Korea. Carter and his wife were welcomed at the airport by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez. Today he’ll meet with Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Havana, and on Tuesday with President Raul Castro.