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Burton noted that the causes and sources of Havana Syndrome remain unclear, but because it resulted in the withdrawal of U.S. and Canadian personnel from Cuba it seriously impacted efforts implemented under former President Barack Obama to engage with Cuba. Keeping that distance between Cuba and the U.S. would be in the interest of both Russia and China, he said.

“So whether Russia or China are involved in this operation is an open question.”

But because Americans appear to have been attacked in China, he said, the federal government must make the safety of diplomats and their families there a priority.

Being public and transparent about that support would give Canadian diplomats assurance that the government “is fully committed to protecting them from the apparently permanent brain damage the Havana Syndrome causes,” Burton said.

Pamela Isfeld, president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, said the issue worries foreign service officers.

“We are concerned about these reports for sure. In general, we think it is up to our employer to do everything that it can.”

Isfel said those concerns are not limited to postings in Cuba or China, but anywhere. “This is an overall health and safety issue. The employer has to make sure people are looked over.”

She said government officials are “engaged on this”. Still, the association of foreign service officers is due to sign a new contract Wednesday that includes, for the first time, a health and safety clause with just such potential issues in mind.