Tillerson meets Cuban FM over illness of US diplomats

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has met with his Cuban counterpart to express his profound concern over the safety and security of its diplomats in Havana after mysterious ailments affected 21 American embassy staff.
The meeting came amid concerns over the unexplained incidents that have harmed the staff some with ailments as serious as traumatic brain injury. The ailments may have been caused by a sonic wave machine or other high-pitched sound bombardments.
"The conversation was firm and frank and reflected the United States' profound concern for the safety and security of its diplomatic personnel," the State Department Spokesperson, Heather Nauert said after the meeting between the two diplomats in Washington DC.

"The Secretary conveyed the gravity of the situation and underscored the Cuban authorities' obligations to protect US Embassy staff and their families under the Vienna Convention," Nauert said.
Earlier in the day, Nauert told reporters that as many as 21 Americans have been medically confirmed as having been affected by incidents in Cuba which began in late 2016.
After the meeting, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Havana has been conducting its own investigation into the incidents, on orders from "the top level of the Cuban government," the Washington Post reported.

But it said Cuba so far had found no evidence pointing to the cause or origin of the health disorders that have affected Americans connected to the embassy, the report said.

"Nevertheless, it said measures had been taken to protect diplomats still stationed in Havana and their families, without specifying what they are," it said.
"It would be regrettable that a matter of this nature is politicised and that hasty decisions not supported by conclusive evidence and investigation results are taken," Rodriguez said.