Will Obama Speak at the University of Havana?

Will Obama Speak at the University of Havana? / 14ymedio
Posted on February 24, 2016

14ymedio, Havana, 24 February 2016 – For several days students at the
University of Havana have observed with surprise several teams of
builders who are refurbishing and repairing the common areas and the
most important areas on "The Hill," the site of the University of
Havana. Speculations about the Aula Magna – the Great Hall – as a
possible site for Barack Obama's speech have soared as a result of the
major clean up.

Were he to speak there, he would be the first United Stats president to
take the floor at this academic site; Jimmy Carter spoke there in 2002
but he was no longer in office. On that occasion, the speech stood out
particularly for his reference – with the speech being broadcast live on
television – to the independent Varela Project, which advocated
political reforms.

In that speech, the politician who for years official propaganda had
referred to disparagingly as "the peanut seller," alluded to his
agricultural origins, and also requested that the then government of
Fidel Castro allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit
Cuban prisons, and receive the United Nations Commissioner for Human
Rights to discuss issues such as prisoners of conscience.

Those who speculate that Obama will speak in the emblematic auditorium
during his March visit, hope that the president of the United States
will demand greater freedoms as well as mass access to the internet.

Source: Will Obama Speak at the University of Havana? / 14ymedio |
Translating Cuba -
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