AFP
Mon May 11, 1:27 am ET
HAVANA (AFP) – A top Cuban official has rejected the need for Cuba to
make any preliminary steps to allow for the lifting of a US trade embargo.
"Cuba has to do absolutely nothing because it did not do anything to the
United States," Ricardo Alarcon, speaker of the Cuban national assembly
and member of the Communist Party Politburo, told CNN television in an
interview.
"The United States, however, has to do a lot," added Alarcon, who spoke
from Canada, where he was attending an academic conference.
He cited the trade embargo maintained by Washington against his country
since 1962; the US use of its naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which
Havana opposes; and Cuba's inclusion in the State Department's list of
state sponsors of terrorism.
In April, US President Barack Obama lifted travel and money transfer
restrictions on Americans with relatives in Cuba.
He has not however, actively backed ending the 47-year-old US economic
embargo on Cuba, instead urging Havana to show progress on human rights.
"We don't have to do absolutely anything except taking note of the
corrective steps taken by the other side when they take place," Alarcon
countered.
Cuban President Raul Castro was ready for dialogue with the United
States on any issue, provided it took place "in conditions of mutual
respect," he added.
"What we need to discuss is how to establish a normal relationship
between the two countries in accordance with the principles of
international law and common sense," Alarcon stated.
But even if that occurred, the two countries "will continue to remain
different."
Cuba rejects need for steps to improve US ties (11 May 2009)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090511/wl_afp/cubausdiplomacy_20090511053028
No comments:
Post a Comment