Obama: 'a new chapter among the Americas'
Speaking from the White House, President Obama begins his remarks: “We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests
“These changes will … begin a new chapter among the nations of theAmericas.”
“There’s a complicated history between the US and Cuba … I was born in 1961, just two years afetr Fidel Castro took power, and just months after the Bay of Pigs … We’re separated by just over 90 miles.”
“All of this bound America and Cuba in a unique relationship, as both family and foe.”
Speaking from the White House, President Obama begins his remarks: “We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests
“These changes will … begin a new chapter among the nations of theAmericas.”
“There’s a complicated history between the US and Cuba … I was born in 1961, just two years afetr Fidel Castro took power, and just months after the Bay of Pigs … We’re separated by just over 90 miles.”
“All of this bound America and Cuba in a unique relationship, as both family and foe.”
Obama is runs through the policy changes he has instructed, including the immediate review of Cuba’s designation as a sponsor of terror, eased travel restrictions and greater access to technology.
About the embargo he is clear that he cannot change much. “The embargo that has been imposed for decades is codified in legislation.”
“I look forward to engaging Congress in an honest and serious debate about lifting the embargo.”
“Yesterday I spoke with Raul Castro to finalize Alan Gross’ release and the exchange of prisoners. We welcome Cuba’s decision to release a nubmer of prisoners whose cases were directly raised with the Cuban government by my team.”
“We welcome the decision to increase access to the internet.”
“I’m not expecting transformation of Cuban society overnight [but we can’t keep doing the same thing for five decades and expect a different result.”
About the embargo he is clear that he cannot change much. “The embargo that has been imposed for decades is codified in legislation.”
“I look forward to engaging Congress in an honest and serious debate about lifting the embargo.”
“Yesterday I spoke with Raul Castro to finalize Alan Gross’ release and the exchange of prisoners. We welcome Cuba’s decision to release a nubmer of prisoners whose cases were directly raised with the Cuban government by my team.”
“We welcome the decision to increase access to the internet.”
“I’m not expecting transformation of Cuban society overnight [but we can’t keep doing the same thing for five decades and expect a different result.”
“I’m under no illusion about the continued barriers to freedom that remain for various Cubans.”
“The US government believes that no Cubans should be subjected to arrest or beatings simply [for their beliefs]. Cuban workers should be free to form unions”
“It does not serve America’s interest or the Cuban people to try to push the Cuban government to collapse. … [we know that it’s more likely to achieve] lasting transformation if their people are not subjected to chaos.”
“We can never erase the history,” Obama goes on, but the US and Cuba can move forward.
“Cubans have a saying, ‘No es facil,’’ it’s not easy, but today the United States wantst obe a partner in making the lives of ordinary Cubans a little bit easier, more free, more prosperous
“In particular I want to thank his holiness Pope Francis, for [trying to make the world] as it should be, rather than as it is.”
He also thanks his State Department team and diplomatic players who were involved.
“Todos somos Americanos. … Today America chooses to cut loose the shackles of the past. For the Cuban people, for the American people, for the hemisphere and for the world.”
“The US government believes that no Cubans should be subjected to arrest or beatings simply [for their beliefs]. Cuban workers should be free to form unions”
“It does not serve America’s interest or the Cuban people to try to push the Cuban government to collapse. … [we know that it’s more likely to achieve] lasting transformation if their people are not subjected to chaos.”
“We can never erase the history,” Obama goes on, but the US and Cuba can move forward.
“Cubans have a saying, ‘No es facil,’’ it’s not easy, but today the United States wantst obe a partner in making the lives of ordinary Cubans a little bit easier, more free, more prosperous
“In particular I want to thank his holiness Pope Francis, for [trying to make the world] as it should be, rather than as it is.”
He also thanks his State Department team and diplomatic players who were involved.
“Todos somos Americanos. … Today America chooses to cut loose the shackles of the past. For the Cuban people, for the American people, for the hemisphere and for the world.”
[h=2]Raul Castro: 'the embargo must end'[/h]While Obama spoke, Raul gave a relatively brief address, which started with the announcement that the Miami three agents had been released – Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, and Ramón Labañino. “As Fidel said in July 2001 – they will return,” Castro said.
Castro said that he had spoken to Secretary Kerry about normalizing relations between the two country, adding that President Obama’s decision deserved “respect and gratitude.” He also thanked the Vatican, Pope Francis and Canada for their support in the process.
But he stressed there was still much work to be done: the US economic blockade remains in place, he said, causing “enormous damage to our people. It must end.”
Acknowledging that the blockade is established in law, Castro said that president Obama could modify its application, and he called on the US government to adopt measures which will benefit both countries.
“Recognizing that we have many fundamental differences on the subjects of national soveignty, democracy, human rights and foreign policy, we reaffirm our willingness discuss all of these subjects.”
Castro called on the US government to remove the obstacles between the countries, dividing families – specifically he called for the re-establishment of direct flights, postal deliveries and telecommunications.
“The progress we have already made shows that it is possible to find solutions to our problems,” he said
Castro also said that Cuba had freed Gross for “humanitarian reasons”.
Castro said that he had spoken to Secretary Kerry about normalizing relations between the two country, adding that President Obama’s decision deserved “respect and gratitude.” He also thanked the Vatican, Pope Francis and Canada for their support in the process.
But he stressed there was still much work to be done: the US economic blockade remains in place, he said, causing “enormous damage to our people. It must end.”
Acknowledging that the blockade is established in law, Castro said that president Obama could modify its application, and he called on the US government to adopt measures which will benefit both countries.
“Recognizing that we have many fundamental differences on the subjects of national soveignty, democracy, human rights and foreign policy, we reaffirm our willingness discuss all of these subjects.”
Castro called on the US government to remove the obstacles between the countries, dividing families – specifically he called for the re-establishment of direct flights, postal deliveries and telecommunications.
“The progress we have already made shows that it is possible to find solutions to our problems,” he said
Castro also said that Cuba had freed Gross for “humanitarian reasons”.
[h=1]Obama announces new Cuban openness – and a future EMBASSY in Havana – as Castro frees American Alan Gross in three-for-one prisoner swap for Cuban spies[/h]
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American Alan Gross arrived Wednesday on US soil as news swirled about a possible normalization of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana
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Gross (left, shown with wife Judy) was physically robust and 100 pounds heavier before he was sent to a Cuban prison in 2009
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Cuban strongman Raul Castro, seen July 26 in a military memorial ceremony, negotiated a three-for-one package with Barack Obama that will see his country's most celebrated American captives set free
- President announces policy changes including 'normalization' of diplomatic relations and a review of 'state sponsor of terror' status
- Florida GOP firebrand Sen. Marco Rubio said an embassy in Havana could come in months, and complained that Obama's move 'is going to do absolutely nothing to further human rights and democracy in Cuba'
- Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey lashed out at Obama, saying his actions 'have vindicated the brutal behavior of the Cuban government' and 'set a dangerous precedent'
- Gross was convicted in Cuba of importing banned technology used for establishing clandestine Internet service for Cuban Jews
- Prisoner exchange will free Cuban national convicted in shoot-down of civilian plan that killed four Cuban-Americans
- Gross lost 100 pounds in Cuban prison and went on a five-day hunger strike in April
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American Alan Gross arrived Wednesday on US soil as news swirled about a possible normalization of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana
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Gross (left, shown with wife Judy) was physically robust and 100 pounds heavier before he was sent to a Cuban prison in 2009
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Cuban strongman Raul Castro, seen July 26 in a military memorial ceremony, negotiated a three-for-one package with Barack Obama that will see his country's most celebrated American captives set free
FREED: (left to right) Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero and Ramon Labañino are three Cuban spies set to be released by President Barack Obama in exchange for the return of prisoner Alan Gross. Hernandez was given two life sentences for conspiring to shoot down airplanes flown by American civilians
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Cars drive past an 'End to Injustice!' banner featuring five Cuban prisoners held in U.S. custody, two of whom were previously released, in Havana December 17, 2014. The aging automobiles are a sign of Cuba's international isolation, as 50-year-old cars are commonplace on the streets of Havana
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Gross met with Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin on the tarmac after he arrived in the United States
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FRENEMIES: Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the outgoing Foreign Relations Committee chairman (left), savaged Obama on Wednesday for suggesting a normalization of relations with Cuba
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Judy Gross spoke at a string of rallies for her husband's release, including this 2012 event in West Palm Beach, Florida
Rene Gonzalez (left) and Fernando Gonzalez (right) were the first two Cuban spies to be sent home, leaving three of the original 'Cuban Five' in American prisons
[h=3]STRAINED U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS THROUGH THE YEARS [/h]1898: U.S. wins the Spanish-American war, forcing Spain to cede control over Cuba
1902: Cuba becomes independent but the island remains under US protection and Congress retains the right to intervene in the nation's affairs
1934: After a coup led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista, the U.S. relinquishes its right to intervene in Cuba and alters its tariff structure to favor Cuba's economy
1958: The US pulls its military aid to Batista following two years of guerrilla warfare waged by leftist rebels Fidel Castro and Che Guevara
1959: Castro leads 9,000 guerrillas into Havana and deposes Batista, later meeting with then-Vice President Richard Nixon in Washington
1960: U.S. breaks off diplomatic relations with Havana and imposes a trade embargo after Castro 'nationalizes' all U.S. businesses operating in Cuba without any compensation
1961: Castro proclaims Cuba a communist nation and allies with the Soviet Union, shortly after the U.S. backs Cuban exiles who aimed, but failed, to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs
1961-63: The CIA draws up at least five separate plans to assassinate Castro
1962: Castro lets the Soviet Union deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba, pointed at the U.S., and the U.S. releases photos of the missile silos; the 'Cuban missile crisis' was resolved when the USSR dismantled the missiles in exchange for the withdrawal of American nuclear missiles from Turkey
1980: Around 125,000 Cubans in the 'Mariel boatlift' – a large number of them convicts released from Cuban jails – flee to the US, when Castro temporarily lifts restrictions on travel
1996: U.S. makes its trade embargo permanent after Cuba shoots down two American aircraft operated by Cuban exiles based in Miami
2001: Five Cubans are given long sentences in the U.S. for spying for the Cuban government, including one who conspired to bring down the planes in 1996
2001: The Bush administration exports food to Cuba for the first time in more than four decades, following Havana's plea for help after Hurricane Michelle
2002: U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bolton, later America's UN Reresentative, accuses Cuba of trying to develop biological weapons
2002: Former President Jimmy Carter tours scientific facilities in Cuba, making him the first former or current U.S. president to visit the country in more than 40 years
2003: President George W. Bush tightens Cuban travel embargo and creates the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba
2006: Fidel Castro, in failing health, hands over power to his brother Raul
2006: The U.S. sends a 10-member bipartisan delegation from Congress to Cuba, but Raul Castro refuses to meet with them
2009: Barack Obama lifts restrictions on family travel and cash transfers to Cuba by family members
2009: Alan Gross is jailed in Cuba, accused of spying for Washington just days before the New Year
2014: Gross is released in exchange for the three remaining 'Cuban Five' prisoners, and the Obama administration announces plans to 'normalize' relations with Havana
1902: Cuba becomes independent but the island remains under US protection and Congress retains the right to intervene in the nation's affairs
1934: After a coup led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista, the U.S. relinquishes its right to intervene in Cuba and alters its tariff structure to favor Cuba's economy
1958: The US pulls its military aid to Batista following two years of guerrilla warfare waged by leftist rebels Fidel Castro and Che Guevara
1959: Castro leads 9,000 guerrillas into Havana and deposes Batista, later meeting with then-Vice President Richard Nixon in Washington
1960: U.S. breaks off diplomatic relations with Havana and imposes a trade embargo after Castro 'nationalizes' all U.S. businesses operating in Cuba without any compensation
1961: Castro proclaims Cuba a communist nation and allies with the Soviet Union, shortly after the U.S. backs Cuban exiles who aimed, but failed, to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs
1961-63: The CIA draws up at least five separate plans to assassinate Castro
1962: Castro lets the Soviet Union deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba, pointed at the U.S., and the U.S. releases photos of the missile silos; the 'Cuban missile crisis' was resolved when the USSR dismantled the missiles in exchange for the withdrawal of American nuclear missiles from Turkey
1980: Around 125,000 Cubans in the 'Mariel boatlift' – a large number of them convicts released from Cuban jails – flee to the US, when Castro temporarily lifts restrictions on travel
1996: U.S. makes its trade embargo permanent after Cuba shoots down two American aircraft operated by Cuban exiles based in Miami
2001: Five Cubans are given long sentences in the U.S. for spying for the Cuban government, including one who conspired to bring down the planes in 1996
2001: The Bush administration exports food to Cuba for the first time in more than four decades, following Havana's plea for help after Hurricane Michelle
2002: U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bolton, later America's UN Reresentative, accuses Cuba of trying to develop biological weapons
2002: Former President Jimmy Carter tours scientific facilities in Cuba, making him the first former or current U.S. president to visit the country in more than 40 years
2003: President George W. Bush tightens Cuban travel embargo and creates the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba
2006: Fidel Castro, in failing health, hands over power to his brother Raul
2006: The U.S. sends a 10-member bipartisan delegation from Congress to Cuba, but Raul Castro refuses to meet with them
2009: Barack Obama lifts restrictions on family travel and cash transfers to Cuba by family members
2009: Alan Gross is jailed in Cuba, accused of spying for Washington just days before the New Year
2014: Gross is released in exchange for the three remaining 'Cuban Five' prisoners, and the Obama administration announces plans to 'normalize' relations with Havana
President Obama thanked Pope Francis for his role in negotiating a more open policy on Cuba and the release of U.S. citizen Alan Gross from Cuban custody.
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[URL="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-marks-three-years-mourning-kim-jong-il-n269941"]
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In a 15-minute speech announcing that the U.S. would normalize relations with Cuba, Obama said that the pope helped spur the change and personally thanked him.
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[URL="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-marks-three-years-mourning-kim-jong-il-n269941"]
[/URL]
In a 15-minute speech announcing that the U.S. would normalize relations with Cuba, Obama said that the pope helped spur the change and personally thanked him.
