White House: 'Cuban Twitter' not a covert program
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says a "Cuban Twitter" communications network created by the U.S. government was a "development" program and not a covert operation.
Spokesman Jay Carney says he is not aware of individuals in the White House who were aware of the program, but he also says President Barack Obama does support efforts to expand communications in Cuba.
The Associated Press has learned that the communications network was built with secret shell companies and financed through foreign banks.
Carney says the government does take steps to be discreet when working in "non-permissive environments" including Cuba. He says those steps are taken to protect "practitioners and the public."
