US renews offer on Cuba embargo

US renews offer on Cuba embargo

Washington has renewed a four-year-old offer to lift its trade embargo
on Cuba if Havana embraces democratic reforms.

Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said the offer was "still on
the table" if the Cuban government would "begin a political opening".

Correspondents say the offer is nothing new, but the timing is significant.

It comes three weeks after Fidel Castro underwent surgery and
temporarily ceded power for the first time to his younger brother Raul.

Mr Shannon told journalists that the administration would consult with
Congress on lifting the 44-year-old trade blockade on Cuba in return for
certain reforms.

These included freeing political prisoners, protecting human rights,
permitting political parties, and creating a "pathway towards elections".

Hints at rapprochement

The BBC's Emilio San Pedro, in Miami, says the offer is identical to one
made in 2002, and does not deviate from Washington's stance on Cuba
since it declared the embargo 10 White House administrations ago.

But Mr Shannon's comments also come a few days after Raul Castro made
comments hinting at a possible rapprochement to the official Cuban
newspaper, Granma.

Mr Castro said that Cuba was willing to consider improved relations with
Washington, if the Bush administration agreed not to interfere in
Havana's internal affairs.

But he also said Havana remained "vigilant" and prepared to face a
possible US invasion of the island.

Cuba's future

On Wednesday, Mr Shannon also commented that although Raul Castro was
the "heir apparent", he did not believe he would wield the same
individual authority as his brother.

He said what would emerge would be "some kind of power-sharing
arrangement" among institutions.

The US rejects suggestions it will attempt to foment a crisis in Cuba.
It has however recently approved a new fund of tens of millions of
dollars to support Cuban opposition movements.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/5280578.stm

Published: 2006/08/24 02:21:52 GMT