Obama Announces New Era with Cuba: End of Failing Seize
Local Editor
US President Barack Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba Wednesday and declared an end to America's "outdated approach" to the communist island in a historic shift aimed at ending a half-century of Cold War enmity.
"These 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked," Obama said from the White House. "It's time for a new approach."
As Obama spoke to Americans, Cuban President Raul Castro addressed his own nation from Havana, saying that while the two countries still have profound differences in areas such as human rights and foreign policy, they must learn to live together "in a civilized manner."
Wednesday's announcements followed more than a year of secret talks between the US and Cuba, including clandestine meetings in Canada and the Vatican and personal involvement from Pope Francis. The re-establishment of diplomatic ties was accompanied by Cuba's release of American Alan Gross, who had been imprisoned for five years, and the swap of a Cuban who had spied for the US for three Cubans jailed in Florida. Gross spoke with Obama from the plane carrying him back to the US.
Obama's plans are sweeping: He aims to expand economic ties with Cuba, open an embassy in Havana, send high-ranking US officials to visit and review Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The US also is easing restrictions on travel to Cuba, including for family visits, official US government business and educational activities. But tourist travel remains banned.
Obama's action marked an abrupt use of US executive authority. However, he cannot unilaterally end the long-standing US economic embargo on Cuba, which was passed by Congress and would require action from lawmakers to overturn.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the news "very positive" and thanked the US and Cuban presidents "for taking this very important step."
Obama said Gross' imprisonment had been a major obstacle in normalizing relations. Gross arrived at an American military base just outside Washington, accompanied by his wife and a handful of US lawmakers. He went immediately into a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, who said he looked forward to becoming the first US secretary of state in 60 years to visit Cuba.
"I do not believe we can keep doing the same thing for over five decades and expect a different result," Obama said. Some on Capitol Hill disagreed with his move.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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