US global aid chief to resign; oversaw secret Cuba programs

US global aid chief to resign; oversaw secret Cuba programs

By JACK GILLUM and DESMOND BUTLER
Associated Press
December 17, 2014 Updated 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON — The head of the nation’s global development agency said Wednesday he will step down from his post in February, following an announcement by the U.S. government that it would start talks toward restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Rajiv Shah, the administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, gave no public reason for leaving the agency he’s lead since 2000. In a statement released Wednesday morning, he said he had “mixed emotions” but did not elaborate.

Shah’s announcement also came hours before U.S. officials confirmed on Wednesday that USAID contractor Alan Gross was freed from a Cuban prison. He was arrested in December 2009 and later sentenced to 15 years after Cuban authorities said he tried to smuggle illegal technology into the country.

USAID, under Shah, drew intense criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and the Cuban government for its Cuba programs. An AP investigation this year revealed the agency – with the help of another Washington-based contractor – created a Twitter-like service, staged a health workshop to recruit activists and infiltrated the island’s hip-hop community.

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