“Fellow citizens, since my election as President of the Councils of State and Ministers, I have reiterated on many occasions our willingness to have a respectful dialogue with the government of the United States.”
Thus Raúl Castro began his speech where he announced to his country the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States. The Cuban president confirmed to have held a telephone conversation on Tuesday with Barack Obama, with which “progress has been made in solving some issues of interest to both nations.”
“We have agreed the restoration of diplomatic relations,” Castro said in the middle of his speech. He also confirmed that the Cuban agents Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero and Ramon Labañino, returned to Cuba on Wednesday morning morning after being released from US prisons.
” This decision by President Obama deserves the respect and recognition of our people,” stated Castro, adding a thank to support offered from the Vatican by Pope Francisco, for his efforts to improve relations between Cuba and the United States. He also referred to the facilities provided by the Canadian government to hold the dialogue.
Raul Castro also reports the return to USA of USAID subcontractor Alan Gross and a Cuban descent spy in the service of Washington whose name has not been made public. Other prisoners also received legal benefits, at the request of the Obama administration.
The president of Cuba clarified that these steps do not mean the end of economic sanctions, but he suggested to his US counterpart to advance in this issue. ” Although the US sanctions have been converted into law, the President of the United States can modify their application using his executive powers,” Castro suggested.
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“We propose to the government of the United States to take mutual steps to improve bilateral climate and move towards normalization of ties between our countries,” he added.
In his statement of just about ten minutes, the Cuban head of state acknowledged that “profound differences” on issues such as national sovereignty, democracy, human rights and politics still persist.
“I reaffirm our willingness to discuss all these issues,” the Cuban president said, who later urged the US government “To remove the obstacles that prevent or restrict the links between our peoples,” referring to travel and contacts between family members.
Castro closed his speech by saying that “we must learn the art of living together in a civilized manner with our differences.”
Statement by the Cuban president
(December 17, 2014)
Fellow countrymen,
Since my election as President of the State Council and Council of Ministers I have reiterated in many occasions our willingness to hold a respectful dialogue with the United States on the basis of sovereign equality, in order to deal reciprocally with a wide variety of topics without detriment to the national Independence and self-determination of our people.
This stance was conveyed to the US Government both publicly and privately by Comrade Fidel on several occasions during our long standing struggle, stating the willingness to discuss and solve our differences without renouncing any of our principles.
The heroic Cuban people, in the wake of serious dangers, aggressions, adversities and sacrifices has proven to be faithful and will continue to be faithful to our ideals of independence and social justice. Strongly united throughout these 56 years of Revolution, we have kept our unswerving loyalty to those who died in defense of our principles since the beginning of our independence wars in 1868.
Today, despite the difficulties, we have embarked on the task of updating our economic model in order to build a prosperous and sustainable Socialism.
As a result of a dialogue at the highest level, which included a phone conversation I had yesterday with President Obama, we have been able to make headway in the solution of some topics of mutual interest for both nations.
As Fidel promised on June 2001, when he said: “They shall return!” Gerardo, Ramon, and Antonio have arrived today to our homeland.
The enormous joy of their families and of all our people, who have relentlessly fought for this goal, is shared by hundreds of solidarity committees and groups, governments, parliaments, organizations, institutions, and personalities, who for the last sixteen years have made tireless efforts demanding their release. We convey our deepest gratitude and commitment to all of them.
President Obama’s decision deserves the respect and acknowledgement of our people.
I wish to thank and acknowledge the support of the Vatican, most particularly the support of Pope Francisco in the efforts for improving relations between Cuba and the United States. I also want to thank the Government of Canada for facilitating the high-level dialogue between the two countries.
In turn, we have decided to release and send back to the United States a spy of Cuban origin who was working for that nation.
On the other hand, and for humanitarian reasons, today we have also sent the American citizen Alan Gross back to his country.
Unilaterally, as has always been our practice, and in strict compliance with the provisions of our legal system, the concerned prisoners have received legal benefits, including the release of those persons that the Government of the United States had conveyed their interest in.
We have also agreed to renew diplomatic relations.
This in no way means that the heart of the matter has been solved. The economic, commercial, and financial blockade, which causes enormous human and economic damages to our country, must cease.
Though the blockade has been codified into law, the President of the United States has the executive authority to modify its implementation.
We propose to the Government of the United States the adoption of mutual steps to improve the bilateral atmosphere and advance towards normalization of relations between our two countries, based on the principles of International Law and the United Nations Charter.
Cuba reiterates its willingness to cooperate in multilateral bodies, such as the United Nations.
While acknowledging our profound differences, particularly on issues related to national sovereignty, democracy, human rights and foreign policy, I reaffirm our willingness to dialogue on all these issues.
I call upon the Government of the United States to remove the obstacles hindering or restricting ties between peoples, families, and citizens of both countries, particularly restrictions on travelling, direct post services, and telecommunications.
The progress made in our exchanges proves that it is possible to find solutions to many problems.
As we have reiterated, we must learn the art of coexisting with our differences in a civilized manner.
We will continue talking about these important issues at a later date
Thank you.
