Cuban Gov. on What Needs to Follow in US-Cuba Relations
HAVANA TIMES – Now that diplomatic ties are officially restored between Cuba and the United States and the two countries will open their respective embassies later this month, many are asking what’s next to move ahead on the long road towards a normalization of relations.
The Cuban government issued a statement on Wednesday that outlines the issues, that from its perspective, need to be addressed and resolved. Here is the complete statement:
Statement by the Revolutionary Government
On July 1, 2015, the President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, exchanged letters through which they confirmed the decision to reestablish diplomatic relations between the two countries and open permanent diplomatic missions in their respective capitals, from July 20, 2015.
That same day, the official opening ceremony of the Embassy of Cuba in Washington will be held, in the presence of a Cuban delegation led by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and composed of distinguished representatives of Cuban society.
By formalizing this step, Cuba and the United States ratified the intention to develop respectful and cooperative relations between both peoples and governments, based on the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, in particular the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
The Government of Cuba has decided to reestablish diplomatic relations with the United States in full exercise of its sovereignty, invariably committed to the ideals of independence and social justice, and in solidarity with the just causes of the world, and reaffirming each of the principles for which our people have shed their blood and ran all risks, led by the historic leader of the Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz.
With the reestablishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of embassies, the first phase concludes of what will be a long and complex process towards the normalization of bilateral ties, as part of which a set of issues will have to be resolved arising from past policies, still in force, which affect the Cuban people and nation.
There can be no normal relations between Cuba and the United States as long as the economic, commercial and financial blockade that continues to be rigorously applied, causing damages and scarcities for the Cuban people, is maintained, it is the main obstacle to the development of our economy, constitutes a violation of International Law and affects the interests of all countries, including those of the United States.
To achieve normalization it will also be indispensable that the territory illegally occupied by the Guantanamo Naval Base is returned, that radio and television transmissions to Cuba that are in violation of international norms and harmful to our sovereignty cease, that programs aimed at promoting subversion and internal destabilization are eliminated, and that the Cuban people are compensated for the human and economic damages caused by the policies of the United States.
In recalling the outstanding issues to be resolved between the two countries, the Cuban Government recognizes the decisions adopted thus far by President Obama, to exclude Cuba from the list of state sponsors of international terrorism, to urge the U.S. Congress to lift the blockade and to begin to take steps to modify the application of aspects of this policy in exercise of his executive powers.
As part of the process towards the normalization of relations, in turn, the foundations of ties that have not existed between our countries in all their history will need to be constructed, in particular, since the military intervention of the United States 117 years ago, in the independence war that Cuba fought for nearly three decades against Spanish colonialism.
These relations must be founded on absolute respect for our independence and sovereignty; the inalienable right of every State to choose its political, economic, social and cultural system, without interference in any form; and sovereign equality and reciprocity, which constitute inalienable principles of International Law.
The Government of Cuba reiterates its willingness to maintain a respectful dialogue with the Government of the United States and develop relations of civilized coexistence, based on respect for the differences between the two governments and cooperation on issues of mutual benefit.
Cuba will continue immersed in the process of updating its economic and social model, to build a prosperous and sustainable socialism, advance the development of the country and consolidate the achievements of the Revolution.
Havana, July 1, 2015
Check your facts. By 2018, the US will produce more oil that Saudi Arabia. The oil the US does purchase from abroad is purchased at market prices. My argument is that Cuba is a beggar nation due to Castro policies. As you seem to struggle with English comprehension, I should have written Venezuelan free oil.
your argument doesnt make any sense…. Without Saudi arabian, venezuelan, Iraqi oil, the USA would be in a hole …..
Really? Cuba can’t feed or clothe itself without handouts. Without Venezuelan oil, Cuba would be in the dark as well. That’s strong to you? What would weak look like?
We are not going to agree when it comes to Cuba but when its all said and done, The Cuban revolution will continue…….Nothing you say or do will change that fact…..50+ years strong and still going….
First of all it wouldn’t be a “Cuban ” AA if it were for another country. The reality is the CAA only works for Cuba. Other totalitarian regimes require other strategies.
What do you think would happen if the USA had a Cuban adjustment act for very country in the world?
Keep this mind Moses, The Mexicans don’t have the wet foot dry foot policy that works to their advantage…
The pre-1959 immigration figures do not reflect the fact that Cubans who traveled from Cuba also more likely returned. A situation very similar to the migration profile for Mexicans today where the NET migration is nearly zero. Cubans leaving the island today are permanent emigres. Less than 1000 Cubans returned permanently in 2014 in comparison to the nearly 40 who left.
The truth is Moses according the US Census In the PRe 1959 Cuba Cubans left in greater numbers and there was No US Cuban adjustment Act to encourage them with promises of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
…and yet young, educated and healthy Cubans continue to leave in droves. As do athletes and doctors and other professionals. What is it that you know about Cuba that escapes these young people. Don’t they know about that “standard of living” that you write about?
Thats BS Moses and u know it… Cuba today has a better standard of living for the majority of its population then Pre1959 Cuba.. Thats a fact despite the unjust blockade against it… In Pre 1959, the money in Cuba was in the hands of a few, the majority of Cubans did not see that wealth…
Cuba today enjoys great respect and admiration among the nations of the world, especially the so called third world nations… Why is that?
The Cuban Revolution is supported by the overwhelming majority of its people.. Its a fact that you don’t seem to comprehend…
First of all, Google “Fidel Castro yacht”. Allegedly, it was a gift. Second, don’t be so dense Accepting the FACT that Cuba is a dictatorship, then it should not take a genius to know that if the dictator wants to sip Dom Perignon or buy Learjets using the National Treasury, there’s no one to say no to them. So yes, the account may say National Treasury but it works like a personal account if your name is Castro.
They got the $706 million they paid for 27% of ETECSA from somewhere? Guess where?
“We” is that the Royal we? or just American myopia? You don’t speak for other countries!
So what your saying is that all the money that comes into the country ends up in the pockets of Fidel and Raul for personal gain. I repeat “Genius” show me the proof. You and the other “Genius” are making assumptions that cannot be backed up. By the way, what yacht does Fidel own?
It’s a dictatorship genius. The national Treasury is their pocket! Look at it this way: if Raul wants to buy a yacht to match or exceed the one Fidel owns, whom does he have to ask permission from?
To be clear, I would like see the embargo lifted as soon as possible. Every Cuban that I hang out with wants the same thing. Here’s where you and I likely differ. I don’t want to see Congress repeal Helms Burton WITHOUT some concessions from the Castros to promote freedom and democracy in Cuba. I suspect that you would rather see the Castros remain in power and the dictatorship be maintained.
Oh pleeeease! Not another grassy knoll conspiracy theory.
I refer to the group of Cuban exiles as rogue. American English Dictionary defines it as “a person, organization or country that does not behave in the usual or acceptable way. Understand?
Where do they refer to him aa “Rogue” ? Please let me know so I can read that for myself>
Do some research on the subject.
You are correct, the Bay of Pigs was not the U.S. Military operation. However, it was supported by the U.S. Government. In fact, we were going to support the invasion with our air power, but at the last moment President Kennedy backed out. I guess the people who particularly live in Florida are not “Real Americans” Are you a “Real American”?
I didn’t say I agree with you, I just said that I am not contesting your points . I am not interested in a debate about Castro. I never met the man and from what I have read, I see some bad points and some good points. I can say that about a lot of people, including Obama and the all the politicians.
I have done quite a bit of reading on Fidel Castro, including his and Che Guevara speeches at the United Nations; unfortunately you can’t buy this book in the U.S. I asm currently reading a book “Life After Fidel” which was written by an ex CIA analyst who was assigned to the Castro desk.
I don’t claim to be an expert on Cuba, but I have an open mind and at least look at both sides of the argument. So far, the anti lifting the embargo group has not made a coherent case to support continuing the embargo. Most of what i have heard is just propaganda One of the politicians that is adamant about continuing the embargo is the son of a person that held a high position with the Batista government.
First off, I doubt that the Castro’s are putting this money in their own pocket. Does someone out there have proof of this ? I want to see proof , if you can’t produce it than stop making such comments.
So now you want to throw the Castros under the bus? OK by me. I agree that we should engage despots and tyrants rather than ignore them if we want to see change. I don’t agree that the unilateral lifting of the embargo without preconditions is the best course. Frederick Douglass once said that “Power concedes nothing without demand”. The Castros have proven that they will not go quietly into the night. The US must continue to apply pressure if we are to see change in Cuba.
You may not like her analogy but her comment is spot on. The Castros send doctors all over the world for profit. The Castros keep up to 90% of what they charge these poor countries for medical services rendered. Ninety percent!! If that ain’t pimpin’, what is?
More than likely? Is that the strength of your evidence? How do you KNOW what the CIA knew?
Come on, The CiA knew of his plans and were more than likely involved. You need to do some further research. They even gave him a job after the incident. This man was backed by the CIA and funded by Cuban dissidents in Miami.
How much do you really know about Cuba? Where did you come up with the “Government pimps out the people so they can keep the profit”
You also need to do a little research to find your own facts instead of what you hear. Sure the Government needs a lot of money to rebuild the infrastructure of the country. Also the latest information i have is that the Government is letting more of their citizens open their own businesses. If you keep up to date with what is going on in Cuba you might get a better perspective on what is happening in that country.
Stop shooting from the hip and if you are going to make a statement regarding how the money is used from tourism — at least get the facts and don’t base it on your opinion or something you hear from the anti lifting the embargo group.
What a ridiculous statement about the U.S. military. Just because the U.S. Military was not directly involved in the Bay of Pigs that doesn’t mean our Government was not involved. We supported the invasion and it was funded by the Cuban dissidents and I am sure the CIA was involved with that “ragtag group of Cuban exiles. Could you imagine the fallout from the rest or the world if we invaded Cuba with our military — don’t you think our Government knew that and did a back door.
By the way, I am familiar with the might of the U.S Military, I served six years in the Navy and spent two years aboard the USS Forrestal on the Admiral’s staff of Commander Carrier Division Four. I am very familiar with the power of our military. Which branch did you serve with?
I don’t know you personally and can only judge you by your comments on these posts. And I don’t care if you don’t care what I think about you.
You keep referring to Castro, I am not contesting your claims against him. I just don’t see punishing the Cuban people based on your feelings about the government. Did you ever think that it would be possible to effect change from the inside instead of this stupid politically motivated embargo? In any case we need to give up on this 50 + year embargo that has achieved nothing of what it was set up to do.
You seem to confuse the fact that we may disagree with each other with assuming that I am un- or under-informed on various historical facts as related to Cuba. That is very condescending. Nonetheless, unwittingly, you make my point. You write “Posada Carriles who worked for the CIA on occasion”. Even if the ‘alleged’ mastermind was Carriles, he was involved for his own interests, hence the term “rogue”.
If you don’t know the military difference between 1500 Cuba exiles and the projected power of a US naval carrier fleet, including a US Marine amphibious invasion force, I begin to question your citizen credentials. Cuban “values” are not the issue here. The Castros have clothed themselves with the excuse that the Cuban people want to live as they do under the heel of Castro tyranny. However, absent freedom of speech, who really knows what Cubans want. All Real Americans know is that freedom is a Human right and should not be taken away without due process. The good news about being a Real American is that I don’t have to care what you think about me. My authenticity is not based on whether or not I agree with you.
The Bay of Pigs was not the US military. Totally different. And by the way “real Americans” don’t know where Cuba is on a map, much less what the reality of communism is, or the fact that Cuba can trade with the entire rest of the world and the government has chosen not to. Cuba is in no position to dictate terms to the US. If the Cuban government wants to grow the economy it can. Millions of international tourists go there every year and the government pimps out the people so they can keep the profit.
Are you serious!!!! Those ragtag group of Cuban exiles were trained in the U.S. and fully supported by the U.S. Government. Where the hell do you get your facts from? You are right it did happen over 50 years ago and so did the embargo. Also, Real Americans don’t believe the embargo is justified. Real Americans don’t have a stomach for punishing people who belong to a country that has different values than ours. For some reason, I don’t believe you are a real American.
Really, how come that doesn’t apply to other country’s we have relations with?
You need to do a little research on the Cuban airliner bombing.
The aircraft was a DC-8, flown by Cubana de Aviación. It carried 73 persons the day it crashed. The average age on board was a mere 30 years of age, because 24 members of the Cuban teenager fencing team were returning to Cuba after having swept the gold medals at the Pan American games in Caracas, Venezuela. They boarded the plane wearing their medals. In total, there were 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese, and 5 Koreans.
The bombing was not by some rogue group of Cuban exiles. In fact, the mastermind behind the plot was Posada Carriles who worked for the CIA on occasion. You might want to Google him.
U.S. buys oil from Venezuela, Venezuela gives oil to Cuba, rents doctors from Cuba to raise cash to buy black beans from North Dakota to help feed its people. 2 million tourists, not from U.S. go to Cuba!!, if Cuba wanted a thriving economy in the private sector all they had to do is ask the rest of the world to invest in private business and make a profit and create jobs for the people. The cash first policy of U.S. Government help assure that Castro would not be able to screw the private sector folks in the U.S.
Oye papito no coma tanta cacita. No one is going into “Russia’s orbit”. They are an economic mess and in fact their close Slavic neighbors are scared to death of them. China is another serious matter. But at the end of the day it’s the U.S. that is most important to Cuba.
Change is coming, in fact is already here. Little by little the US restrictions will be lifted. Once the Castros die, a biological inevitability, the political will to eliminate the remainder Helms-Burton will be there. the changes to Cuba will then move swiftly. Billions in Investment and aid will flow through, a miniature Marshall plan in Cuba. You see once the Castro’s die there are no other politicians to hold the regime together. Oh it won’t go down right away, but they will probably try to move towards a China model rapidly. But Cubans aren’t Chinese. Will they put up with continued censorship and restrictions? …..time will tell.
The Bay of Pigs was a ragtag group of Cuban exiles, not a US military operation. Besides, it took place more than 50 years ago! Josefina Vidal is a just a mouthpiece. She did nothing and can do nothing to move the ball. Obama promised to improve relations with Cuba in 2007 before he was elected the first time. He is fulfilling that promise. For better or worse, our Republican – controlled Congress could not care less about world opinion. Neither does the ‘world’ for that matter. Have you checked out the value of the USD or the NYSE lately? My 401k is soaring. You continue to use the phrase “hiding behind the skirts of the world superpower”. I’m not hiding at all. Real Americans don’t hide.
Hiding behind the skirts of the world superpower, Moses, you keep bragging that Cuba can’t do anything about anything. Why don’t you travel to Cuba and tell that to Josefina Vidal. She got Cuba off the terror list. She got the Cuba 5 home. She has world opinion on her side to get Guantanamo Bay back. She is going to get a Cuban flag flying in Washington. Go tell her she can’t get anything done. And what about the Bay of Pigs, Moses?
You seem to cast the Castros in the role of victims here. It is the Castros who should fear the judgements of an impartial international court. The tragic bombing of Flt. 455 was likely carried out by a rogue group of Cuban exiles. Guantanamo was far from stolen. A sovereign Cuban government signed a lease. The US embargo is the sovereign right of the US to choose with whom we do business. Far from illegal. Finally, we do agree that Cuba is helpless against the military might of the US. We slightly disagree in that the overwhelming military advantage the US maintains has nothing to do with our nuclear power. We would overthrow the Castro regime in 3 days with only conventional warfare.
My comment has nothing to do with the PEOPLE of Cuba. I’m talking about the Castros. Very different. Contrary to what your comment implies, what I’m suggesting is that the US need not concede to Castro’s demands. It is the US that holds all the cards here. You are correct that Cuba can and should attempt to go it alone. I would remind you that the last time Cuba attempted to function on their own merits, that is to say without the Soviet or Venezuelan teat to suckle, it was called the “Special Period”. The whole thing about the world changing is no threat or concern to the US. Where do you think change comes from? It begins in the US.
Describing the Castro’s as “a rape victim” conjures up some amazing images, most of them amusing. Let us suppose for a moment that the same analogy is applied to the Castro’s and their “rape” of the people of Cuba whom they have held in thrall for fifty six long weary years. Is now the time for those victims to claim their freedom? Cuba can only claim a place amongst the free countries of the world when both Socialismo and its designers are dead!
Moses, Do you think that the people of Cuba possess no character, no gumption, no respect for themselves? Do you think that those Cuban Five spent 16 years incarcerated in the worst American prisons so that Cuba could lap its tail, open its mouth and swallow wholly and solely whatever America dishes out to it? America, for over 50 years could not break the will, the respect, the determination, the grit, the Gibraltar like spirit of the Cuban people and now that Cuba is advancing its economy with the intention of improving the lives of its inhabitants, they must sell their principles and lap their tails like dogs and tell Uncle Sam, “Yes Boosss, we dutifully and humiliatingly accept your pitiful doses of infamy you throw out at us!!” Vietnam has taught the world that, when a people is determined to fight for their dignity, their pride, their principles, their respect as human beings, their cause, no nuclear power in the world can defeat them. With, or without America, the Cuban spirit will survive and prosper. Cuba is not begging Americans to come and join them in building the economy. It is the other way around. T he Americans who are living 90 miles away are afraid to be left out. By creating a relationship with Cuba which is based on mutual respect for the UN Charter and International Law, jobs would be created in America. It is no one way traffic. Of course, Cuba will benefit as well. The reationship must be based on mutual respect. Cuba is not as large as America, but it is a Sovereign Country which fought for its Independence from Spain, the same way America fought for its Independence from Great Britain.The Moseses of the world realize that the world is changing and leaving them behind. The Moseses of the world are realizing that those they once oppressed and exploited and whom they once saw as hewers of wood and drawers of water, are moving on; they cannot stomach this: it is too much of a shock for them. They are suffering palpitations of the heart. The world is changing. It is moving too fast for them. They miss the glory days when they were the massas; Massa’s days are coming to an end and they cannot stomach the change, because you cannot stop neither the hands of time or the unstoppable hands of change. America has to change or else it would be singing one of the oldie goldies, “Oh lonesome me!” The Cubans have to be very watchful for they speak with a forked tongue. Ask the Red Indians!!
Moses, your propaganda has worn thin over the decades. You say, “Cuba is in absolutely no position to make demands.” I’m sure you mean that Cuba is helpless against a nuclear superpower. I’m also sure you also believe that Cuba had “absolutely” no right to defend itself at the Bay of Pigs in April of 1961. Any impartial nation or international court in the world would agree with Cuba’s “demands” that the stolen Guantanamo Bay be returned to its rightful owner, Cuba. Any impartial nation or international court would agree that the illegal embargo against Cuba, dating back to 1962, should not only be ended but that two generations of Cubans on the island should be compensated for the dire harm it has caused them. If Cuba could take the issues of Guantanamo Bay or the embargo or the bombing of Cubana Flight 455, etc., to any court outside of Miami, who do you think would be judged the winner, Moses? My passion for Cuba is based purely on the fact that, as a democracy-loving American, I resent the fact that a Batistiano-driven Cuban policy since the 1950s has done more to smirch the image of America and democracy than any other thing. Moses, you and other self-serving propagandists can rant and rave all day and all night about justifying the embargo, the theft of plush territory from a smaller country, the bombing of a child-laden civilian airplane from a smaller country, etc., while hiding behind the skirts of world’s richest and strongest nation. But all that, Moses, does not justify the unjustifiable.
Relatively speaking the US is on very firm economic ground, certainly when compared to China which doesn’t have to worry about bothering with a “living wage”
As far as Cuba is concerned, the term “rape” takes away from true victimes who have suffered such a violation. What we are thing about is Geo-politics. You need to put on your big boy pants to play in that sand box. Cuba, while it enjoyed the succor of the Soviets, didn’t hesitate to export violence to other parts of the world. And now you try and play them off as a victim?
As I said. This is geo-politics. ….who’s going to “enforce” their demands!?
I find your “rape” comparison in poor taste. That said, the US embargo is a benign tool that has been used to influence policy in Cuba. The impact of US policy towards Cuba has never risen to a level that warrants such a horrible description. Living standards in Cuba prior to 1959, especially for those at the bottom of the economic scale, were comparable to the standards shared by most of Latin America. In fact, Cubans were better off in many respects simply due to the island’s proximity to the US. US debt has been halved in the last 6 years. In relation to GDP, US debt is at a 20 year low. Your criticism of the US economy is shallow and unnecessary to make your point. I didn’t write that Cuba doesn’t have a right to make their demands. I am saying that the Cuban “mouse” is still a mouse no matter how loud they roar. If we decide to keep Guantanamo open, there is nothing that Cuba can do about it.
As the rest of the world has come to recognize lately, US concern for human rights is todo rollo, poco pelicula. The current policy was getting in the way of the real concern behind the pretty facade – power, influence and dominance in the hemispheric backyard. With the rest of the neighbors tired of ratifying Washington’s Good/Bad list, and the most important countries steadily drifting out of their 100 year orbits toward China and Russia, Tio Caiman is forced to cry uncle. However, he still believes, with no apologies, that it’s his right to continue w/ regime change, diplomatic relations or not.
hahahahaha is that you again Moses…. So the rape victim doesn’t doesnt get to make demands Huh? So the rape victim can not demand to the rapist to stop raping….By the way the US economy is being held on by short term fixes with jobs that pay below living standards….And as you know the debt is astronomical but hey the Fed can just print more money…. Hey Moses Cuba has a right to demand for the United States…
This is truly an example of the mouse that roared. Cuba is in absolutely no position to make demands. The US is currently enjoying the most vibrant economy in the hemisphere and among the fastest growing in the world. President Obama is in the last 18 months of his 2nd term, likely to be replaced by a less liberal Democrat if not a conservative Republican. Cuba’s best shot at US concessions is now not later. Not accepting Castro demands costs Obama nothing. His legacy is established with his attempt to normalize relations with this despotic regime. The US economy doesn’t need Cuba. If the Castros fail to make concessions and progress towards normalization is stalled only the Cuban people suffer. As a negotiation strategy, it makes sense to keep your wishlist on the front page. But at some point the Castros will have to shut up, sit down and take the deal that is offered.