Obama asks Spain to pass message to Cuba

Obama asks Spain to pass message to Cuba
(AFP) – 5 hours ago

MADRID — US President Barack Obama asked Spain to send a message to Cuba
urging its president Raul Castro to step up efforts to improve relations
with Washington, a Madrid newspaper reported Sunday.

"Tell Raul that if he does not take steps, neither can I," Obama told
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, according to El
Pais, which cited a diplomatic source.

"We are making efforts, but if they do not make efforts, it will be very
difficult for us to continue," said Obama during the meeting on October
13 at the White House, the newspaper added.

The message was passed on to Havana the following week by Spanish
Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos during a visit to Cuba, El Pais
said.

Since taking office in January, Obama has moved to ease a half-century
of tension with communist Cuba, such as relaxing rules on visits and
money transfers to the island.

AFP: Obama asks Spain to pass message to Cuba: report (25 October 2009)
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