President Barack Obama will address questions Saturday following a historic meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro at a gathering of leaders from across the Western Hemisphere in Panama.
The two leaders acknowledged the complex history between their two nations at the sit-down, with Obama saying that after 50 years, "it was time to try something new."
"We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future," he said. "Over time it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries."
He said he envisioned more commerce and interactions between the U.S. and Cuba, and an American embassy in Havana and a Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C. But, he acknowledged, "there's still going to be deep and significant differences between our governments."
Castro said he agreed with Obama, but warned, "We need to be patient, very patient. Some things we will agree on, others we will disagree."
"No one should entertain illusions. It is true that we have lots of differences. Our countries have a long and complicated history," he said. "But we are willing to make progress in the way the president has described. We can develop friendship between our two peoples."
Obama and Castro first broke down barriers by shaking hands Friday — only the second time the two had done so.
Speculation swirled that in Saturday's meeting, Obama might announce the U.S. was dropping Cuba from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terror list. Obama said Thursday that the State Department's review of the designation, which Cuba shares with Iran, Syria and Sudan, was complete. The U.S. stopped accusing Cuba of terrorism years ago.
The United States and Cuba severed diplomatic relations in 1961, two years after forces led by Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government. Cuba was added to the state sponsors of terrorism list in 1982.
Obama announced in December that the U.S. would ease travel, banking and commerce restrictions on Cuba and eventually open an American embassy in Havana.
"The United States will not be imprisoned by the past," President Barack Obama said at the Summit of the Americas Saturday.
The Cold War is over, Obama said, adding that he is "not interested in having battles that frankly started before I was born."
Only Congress can fully lift the travel restrictions to Cuba, but Obama said Saturday that he had begun working with lawmakers to do so.
Castro on Saturday said he applauds Obama's "courageous decision to get involved in this debate with Congress to put this to an end." Castro added that he thinks Obama is an "honest man," and he is willing to engage in respectful dialogue to put an end to decades of contention between the two countries.
Anticipation was building about what might be discussed between the two leaders as the Summit of the Americas progressed through the weekend. Cuba had been restricted by the U.S. from attending the summit since its inception more than two decades ago, but in another sign of thawing relations, was invited to take part along with 34 other countries this year.
A removal of Cuba from the terror list would not only erase a blemish on Cuba's image but also alleviate challenges to simple financial transactions.
- 'New Era': Obama and Cuba's Castro to Hold Highly Anticipated Meeting
- Obama and Raul Castro Plan To Meet Saturday, White House Says
- Obama: Decision Near On Removing Cuba From Terror List
— Elisha Fieldstadt
First published April 11 2015, 2:39 PM
Source: Top Stories - Google News - http://ift.tt/1CwA5k7
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