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UA to Dedicate Cuba Center; Analyst to Discuss U.S.-Cuba Relations

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A dedication ceremony for The University of Alabama’s new Center for Cuba Collaboration and Scholarship will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 at Capital Hall on UA’s Bryce campus.

In conjunction with the dedication, special guest Dr. Peter Kornbluh, a senior analyst for the National Security Archive, will present “The Secret Story of How Washington and Havana Normalized Diplomatic Relations” at 3:30 p.m. in room 1004 of Shelby Hall on the UA campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Kornbluh will also sign copies of his book, “Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations Between Washington and Havana,” which he co-wrote with William LeoGrande.  The book was re-released this month containing a new epilogue detailing how U.S. President Barack Obama secretly negotiated a reconciliation with Cuba.

The Center for Cuba Collaboration and Scholarship was approved earlier this year by the UA Board of Trustees. The academic center builds on the activities of the 13-year Alabama-Cuba Initiative by continuing to develop scholarly activities for UA faculty and students with institutions and programs in Cuba. Both the center and the initiative efforts have been led by UA’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Speakers at the dedication will include Dr. Stuart Bell, UA president; Dr. Robert Olin, dean of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences; Kornbluh; and members of the center’s faculty advisory board.

Read the full article in the UA News