Obama's historic opening to Cuba: A hint of things to come with Iran?

[truebluefan]

President Obama’s decision to reestablish full diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States for the first time since 1961 reflects the president’s conviction – laid out in his first inaugural address – that engagement with foreign adversaries is better than isolation.

Mr. Obama’s historic decision means that two longtime antagonists – who have what the president himself described Wednesday as a “unique history” – will establish embassies in each other’s capital and exchange ambassadors. While lifting the half-century-old US embargo on the Communist island would take an act of Congress, Mr. Obama will go as far as legally permissible to ease travel and trade restrictions between the two countries and get relations to “normal.”

Read more http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreig...ng-to-Cuba-A-hint-of-things-to-come-with-Iran

 

[truebluefan]

Cuba's parliament backs decision to normalize relations with U.S.

Cuba's National Assembly backed President Raul Castro's decision to begin the process of restoring full diplomatic relations with the United States, a historic move that brings an end to more than 50 years of enmity.

The parliament speaker, Esteban Lazo, on Friday hailed the rapprochement with the United States and the return to the island of three Cuban spies - regarded as heroes on the island - who had been serving long prison sentences in the United States.

Those members of the so-called Cuban Five spy ring, which was dismantled in 1998, were freed as part of a prisoner swap that saw the release of a Cuban man who had provided information on Cuban spy operations in the United States.

Read more http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/po...acks-decision-to-normalize-relations-with-us/

 

[truebluefan]

Cuba's closer ties with U.S. won't change socialist policies, Castro says

Cuban President Raul Castro has hailed a recent U.S. move to normalize bilateral relations, but stressed that Havana will not give up socialism.

Speaking at the National Assembly in Havana on Saturday, Castro said he is open to discussing a wide range of issues with Washington, but added his country would not bow to pressure to change its core political principles.

“Just as we have never proposed to the United States to change its political system, we will demand respect for ours,” Castro said.

"There are profound differences between the governments of the United States and Cuba that include, among others, differing concepts about exercising national sovereignty, democracy, political models and international relations," the Cuban president said.

Read more http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cuba-s...ange-socialist-policies-castro-says-1.2880582