US: Audio recording of Cuba attacks made public

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

A recording purporting to be the sound heard by U.S. embassy employees shortly before falling ill with a wide variety of symptoms in Havana was made public Thursday.

The tape of high-pitched sounds like something that might be played in a 1980s movie as a protagonist suffers cerebral trauma.

The Associated Press obtained the recording before making it public. The news agency did not say how it received it or from whom it was received, but said it is one "of the many taken in Cuba of mysterious sounds that led investigators initially to suspect a sonic weapon".

They have been sent to the Navy and intelligence agencies for analysis, according to the AP.

The device that emanated the sound remains , as well as the alleged perpetrators.

The incidents in which U.S. officials say 21 embassy employees were deliberately targeted have prompted a diplomatic crisis between Washington and Havana.

At the end of the U.S. made dramatic cuts to its diplomatic presence in Cuba and warned Americans to avoid to the island after the attacks, the latest of which happened in August. Washington further expelled15 officials from Cuba's embassy in Washington as tensions continue to simmer.

Cuba has denied involvement in the attacks. But White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly told reporters Thursday that Washington believes "the Cuban government could stop the attacks on our diplomats".

U.S. officials had previously used the language of "incidents" when describing the targeting of its officials, before terming them "attacks".

Victims have suffered a range of symptoms including hearing loss, ear problems, dizziness, headache, cognitive and fatigue.

Havana has pledged to continue to investigate and the U.S. will assist in the effort.