United States, Cuba to resume talks

NEW YORK, July 14 (UPI) -- Resumption of diplomatic talks with Cuba undermines U.S. security interests, a Republican congresswoman from Florida said.

Delegations from Washington and Havana were to meet Tuesday in New York to resume talks suspended in 2003 by former U.S. President George W. Bush, The Miami Herald reported.

"It is unfortunate that, once again, the Cuban regime is being rewarded with overtures from the U.S. government despite its ongoing atrocities against the Cuban people and policies that undermine U.S. security interests and priorities," U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., told the Herald.

The diplomatic talks were to "focus on how best to promote safe, legal and orderly migration between Cuba and the United States," the U.S. State Department said Monday in a three-sentence release.

The Obama administration earlier this year eased some travel and gift restrictions for U.S. residents with relatives in Cuba.