US And Cuba 'To Resume' Direct Mail Talks

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Talks are aimed at ending a 50-year stand-off that has meant mail between the US and Cuba going through other countries.

The United States and Cuba will resume talks on restarting a direct mail service between the countries after half a century, an American official has said.

News of the plan to begin negotiations again comes despite a deadlock between Washington and Havana over detainees, which has largely stalled most rapprochement efforts.

US and Cuban representatives will meet in Washington for technical talks on Tuesday and Wednesday aimed at ending the suspension in direct mail that started in 1963.

The official who revealed the fresh talks spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter publicly before Congress is notified.

The mail talks and separate negotiations on immigration have been on hold since 2009 over demands by Washington that Cuba release jailed American subcontractor Alan Gross.

Washington insists Mr Gross be released before ties can be improved.

Cuba, meanwhile, demands that Washington release four jailed Cuban intelligence agents.