Bill Barto wrote:
The low inclination or the HST makes it easier for the US to get to to it
and much harder for the Russians.

"easier" isn't quite the word. A lower inclination gives launchers from KSC
greater cargo capacity to such an orbit, as well as longer launch windows.

Forgetting Cuba and landing site for a minute, should NASA want to launch the
shuttle to a 5° orbit, would the 23° deviation to the south cost more fuel
than a 23° deviation to the north ?

(when launching to station, the KSC intercepts the orbital plane, but
launching to a lesser inclination, KSC never intersects).

So, if the Europeans decide to build their own space station sent from Korou,
would they decide to pay a penalty hit to launch to 28° so that NASA could
participate, or would they leave NASA out ?

I think this works both ways.