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(10 Aug 2017) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLYDEPARTMENT OF STATE TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLYWashington DC - 10 August, 20171. Heather Nauert, US State Department spokesperson, entering briefing room2. SOUNDBITE (English) Heather Nauert, US State Department spokesperson:"You mentioned a particular medical ailments. That is nothing that I can confirm. I have certainly seen that report out in the news media. I would hope that that those reports would not come from any federal officials. We will not confirm the health status of any Americans, whether they're in Cuba or back here at home. What I can tell you is that these were US government personnel who were in Cuba, in Havana on official duty on behalf of the US government. We consider these to be incidents because we are still trying to determine the actual cause of their situation."3. Cutaway of journalist asking question4. SOUNDBITE (English) Heather Nauert, US State Department spokesperson:"When I say an active investigation is underway, in part what that means is, we don't know exactly where this came from. OK? We can't blame any one individual or a country at this point yet. An investigation is underway; we take that very seriously. This is a US government investigation that is taking place. We've spoken extensively to the Cubans about this. As you know, we had two of their Cuban diplomats leave back in late May or so."5. Matt Lee, Associated Press reporter, asking question6. SOUNDBITE (English) Heather Nauert, US State Department spokesperson: ++STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT++(Question: "So, you're unable to say whether or not this was only something that happened to Americans?")"I, I just can't confirm here from a US government post that other countries may have or have not had this issue happen to them. I can only speak to what Americans have faced."7. Cutaway of journalist asking question8. Various of NauertSTORYLINE:US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert was unable to confirm that several US diplomats serving in Cuba are suffering from severe hearing loss.During Thursday's State Department briefing, all she would say is that the department is investigating the situation and working to determine the actual cause of any physical ailment from the afflicted personnel.Nauert also would not say whether diplomats from other countries had encountered the same type of hearing damage.The Canadian government is confirming that at least one Canadian diplomat in Cuba also has been treated for hearing loss.US officials believe a group of American diplomats in Havana suffered severe hearing loss after being exposed to a covert sonic device.Nauert said at this time the investigation doesn't point to a specific individual or country as the cause of the physical condition.===========================================================Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: [email protected](ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you... Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

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AP Archive 4110306 2d4d29cbe4610e47e4d9e7bd33d5f2c6 ++US Cuba District of Columbia United States Cuba Caribbean Latin America and Caribbean Havana Government and politics