President of Cuba Raul Castro said after the meeting that between Havana and Washington are important differences that will never fade. However – he added – both countries can try the “civilized coexistence.”
Castro stressed further improvement of relations between the two countries will be possible after the lifting of the American embargo and dedication of Cuba lands on which are located the US Naval Base Guantanamo. At the same time he informed that Cuba has partnered with the United States on the fight against infectious diseases, including the virus Zika. American and Cuban enterprises are also resume cooperation.
Barack Obama is the first US president to visit Cuba for 88 years. His visit is the culminating point, reprinted from last year
In the evening, Raul Castro and Barack Obama meet at the official dinner, also at the Palace of the Revolution. Joined by US First Lady Michelle Obama.
Before the interview with Castro, US President paid tribute to the Cuban hero Jose Marti narodowenu. He laid a wreath at the mausoleum at Revolution Square in Havana. Written also lined there to the visitors’ book.
The first greeting at the airport
The US president arrived in Cuba already night time Polish.
Do not greet him, however, Cuban President Raul Castro, but the local minister of foreign affairs.
(Storyful / x-news. Such was the welcome at the airport in Havana and the first moments of Barack Obama in Cuba)
Straight from the American president went to the newly opened US embassy in Havana to meet with its employees. Also visited the historical center of Havana and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, where he met with Cardinal Jamie Ortega, a precursor to improve relations between Washington and Havana.
In Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba is not scheduled to meet with many of the country leader Fidel Castro.
At the end of 2014. The White House announced the beginning of the normalization of relations with Havana. One of the most important goals of Barack Obama will now lead to full elimination in force for 54 years an embargo on trade between the two countries. So far, we have managed to include restore direct air connections, and sign the first contracts for telecommunications.
Launched on Sunday, President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba is widely commented upon in the media. Some observers estimated it negatively, including due to violations of human rights in Cuba.
The arrest of dissidents
Just before Obama’s visit Cuban police detained dozens of dissidents in Havana protesters against the communist government. To detentions occurred on the tens of hours before the arrival of Barack Obama.
Stopped and arrested belong to the so-called. Ladies in White, an organization formed by the wives and mothers of political prisoners. According to the AFP the police pulled up to the church, where dissidents protesting almost every Sunday and took away their trucks.
Ladies in White, a movement began 11 years ago. It brings together women from families of arrested oppositionists and dissidents. Their symbol is a white color. They fight for the release of their loved ones and their acquittal.
A large part of the Cuban opposition expressed dissatisfaction with the US President which is treated as the “acceptance of the Cuban regime.”
Do not mistake a chance?
In the western media presented approach is referred to as “pragmatic.” For example, according to an article published today in the newspaper “Financial Times” is a pillar of a broader US approach to the region. American foreign policy on its own hemisphere almost blooms – says Monday the British newspaper “Financial Times”. “This time, the word” historic “is not an exaggeration. The visit of Barack Obama’s first trip of US President on Cuba for over 88 years. What is important, it is aimed at cementing conducted 15 months policy closer to the island,” – emphasizes the “FT” estimates that the change in force for more than a half century tactics strengthen the US position in the region.
The newspaper reminds that while Obama has introduced some changes in relations with Cuba, only Congress can fully lift its embargo on trade ties with the country. Among the activities mentioned removing Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, agreeing on commercial flights and facilitating the travel to the island for Americans.
This week legalized, among others, Cuba settling trade transactions in US dollars, which means that the Cubans will not have to perform complicated operations in other currencies, and easier to do business. According to the “FT” should be proud of these activities, to the extent that they can also help ordinary Cubans in independence from the communist authorities.
The “most dramatic” change “FT” recognizes that the aim of the US is no longer a regime change in Cuba. “It is up to Cubans to decide on the future of the island, as he said Obama” – he added.
Obama’s visit “comes to more than repair the relationship and regain influence in former Cold War enemy” – the newspaper added. “It is a pillar of a broader US approach to the region. While in the Middle East and the Mediterranean there is a mess, the US foreign policy on its own hemisphere and the Caribbean almost blooms” – writes “FT”, stressing the importance of “forward-looking policy.”
“30 years ago, many countries in Latin America seemed to be a series of situations can not be solved. It is not so” – the newspaper notes.
He explains that the Marxist militants of Colombia, encouraged by Havana, are ready to lay down their weapons and rapprochement with Cuba receives Venezuelan authorities propaganda weapons, since they can no longer convincingly complain of imperialism.
In other countries in the region to improve relations with the US can contribute to economic problems. “Lost in corruption Brazilian government is on the brink. Selected recent Argentine president, Mauricio Macri, who is probiznesowym centrist, announced that he wants to re-engage his country’s relations with the USA. Obama will be there on Tuesday and it will be another historic trip, the first visit of the American president for almost 20 years, “- he added.
“So much for the development of American interests. And what Cuban? Critics complain that Obama gave Havana more than she gave. Perhaps. However, negotiations with the communist leaders of Cuba, which repays by tit for tat, would lead to fiasco, as before. Unilateral action makes Cuba is in focus and deprive it the traditional excuses regarding intransigence and violations of human rights. Obama and others need to emphasize those concerns, “- he added.
According to the “FT” to Cuba approaching changes, and in connection with the departure of the original leaders of the revolution, at some point they will be inevitable. “When Air Force One will leave Havana, 11 million people will return to the monotonous, although changing slowly routine of central planning and state police. But even if you need the patience of Job, the chances are that their lives will improve, are now larger “- concludes the daily.
Political change after half a century
The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba under President Dwight Eisenhower in 1961. It was a reaction to the rise in tensions in relations with the revolutionary government of Fidel Castro. Eisenhower introduced the embargo on trade ties with Cuba and official contacts had since then repeatedly exacerbated by the US Congress.
In December 2014, the presidents of the United States and Cuba announced a historic warming of relations. Since then, the United States gradually implement the different facilitate contacts with Cuba.
PAP / IAR / agkm
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