US Renews Diplomatic Ties With Cuba
The announcement that diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States will be restored has brought hope and joy to many Cubans.
Cubans have been closely following negotiations that preceded last Wednesday’s announcement, which is expected to ease travel and communication between the two nations.
Cuban television interrupted its regularly scheduled programming early Wednesday to broadcast the content of a letter from Cuban President Raul Castro to his US counterpart US President Barack Hussein Obama, confirming the decision to restore diplomatic ties, which were broken off in Y 1961.
The television also broadcast Mr. Obama’s address live from the White House, in which he described the decision as “a historic step forward in our efforts to normalize ties with the government and the people of Cuba.”
The community of Cuban expatriates living in the United States, mainly in Miami, Florida, welcome the development.
While common people were optimistic about the benefits a restoration of diplomatic relations would bring, the Cuban government saw difficulties lying ahead to normalize ties and better protect the rights of its citizens.
The act of restoring diplomatic ties and reopening embassies “concludes the first stage of what will be a long and complex process towards normalizing bilateral ties,” as many issues derived from past policies continue to affect the people and the country of Cuba and will have to be resolved, the Cuban government said in a statement.
“There cannot be normal ties between Cuba and the United States as long as the economic, commercial and financial blockade rigorously causes harm and shortages for the Cuban people,” the government said.
Cuba agreed with the United States to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies in their respective capitals as of 20 July, after 54 yrs of ‘cold’ relations and more than 6 months of negotiations.
The US embassy in Havana will be housed in what is now the US Interests Section, a building overlooking the city’s seaside promenade.
The 2 nations decided to open respective Interests Sections following an agreement in Y 1977 between then Presidents Fidel Castro and Jimmy Carter.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to travel to Cuba to raise the US flag at the site during its official opening on 20 July.
Have a terrific week.
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Paul Ebeling
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