President Raúl Castro Ruz’s policies align Cuba in a tacit alliance with the BRICS; it remains close to both Russia and China in their struggle with the West
______________________________
Since my election as President of the State Council and Council of Ministers, on many occasions, I’ve reiterated our willingness to hold a respectful dialogue with the USA based on sovereign equality, to deal reciprocally with a variety of topics without detriment to the national Independence and self-determination of our people. On several occasions, both publicly and privately, Comrade Fidel conveyed this stance to the US Government during our long-standing struggle, stating our 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, proved their continued faithfulness to our ideals of independence and social justice. Strongly united throughout these 56 years of Revolution, we’ve kept our unswerving loyalty to those who died to defend our principles since the beginning of our wars of independence in 1868. Today, despite difficulties, we’ve embarked on the task of updating our economic model to build a prosperous and sustainable Socialism.
Because of dialogue at the highest level, which included a phone conversation I had yesterday with President Obama, we’ve been able to make headway to solve some topics of mutual interest for both nations. As Fidel promised on June 2001, when he said, “They shall return!” Gerardo, Ramon, and Antonio arrived today in our homeland. Hundreds of solidarity committees and groups, governments, parliaments, organisations, institutions, and personalities, who for the last sixteen years made tireless efforts demanding their release, share the enormous joy of their families and of all our people, who relentlessly fought for this goal. 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 USA. I also want to thank the Government of Canada for facilitating high-level dialogue between the two countries. In turn, we decided to release and send back to the USA a spy of Cuban origin who worked for that nation. On the other hand, for humanitarian reasons, today, we also sent the American citizen Alan Gross back to his country. Unilaterally, as has always been our practise, and in strict compliance with the provisions of our legal system, the concerned prisoners received legal benefits, including the release of those persons that the US Government had conveyed their interest in.
We also agreed to renew diplomatic relations. In no way does this mean that we’ve solved the heart of the matter. The economic, commercial, and financial blockade, which causes enormous human and economic damages to our country, must stop. Although the blockade is part of American law, the President of the USA has the executive authority to modify its implementation. We propose to the US Government that we adopt mutual steps to improve the bilateral atmosphere and advance towards normalisation of relations between our two countries, based on the principles of International Law and the UN Charter. Cuba reiterates its willingness to coöperate in multilateral bodies, such as the United Nations.
Whilst 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 US Government 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’s possible to find solutions to many problems. As we’ve reiterated, we must learn the art of coexisting with our differences in a civilised way.
17 December 2014
Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz
President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba
President of the Council of State of Cuba
First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC)
Greanville Post
http://www.greanvillepost.com/2014/12/17/the-new-opening-with-the-usa/?utm_campaign=Newsatme&utm_content=The%2BNew%2BOpening%2BWith%2Bthe%2BUSA&utm_medium=news%40me&utm_source=mail%2Balert
Editor:
By doing this, President Obama makes it clear that he, not the GOP Greedsters, will set the tone of debate for the next two years. I expect further actions… firstly, he acted unilaterally on immigration, now, he’s acting unilaterally on Cuba. You see, the pinheaded Republican Affluent Effluent didn’t expect these actions, so, they’re not reacting in a reasoned way. BHO is carefully turning up the heat under the ignoranus Know-Nothing GOP to provoke them into stupid statements (not a hard task, truly… the GOP isn’t called the “Stupid Party” for nought). Instead of pursuing their own agenda, the Republicans HAVE to respond to BHO’s moves or have their crackbrained base savage them. In short, its sweet revenge for BHO… he’s FAR smarter than the Republican imbeciles think that he is. His foreign policy towards Russia is a shambles… but I’d say that Russia is VERY low on his list of priorities. His real focus has always been domestic policy. I expect that the next executive order could involve the ACA or homosexual rights… with an anti-Wall Street action an outside possibility.
BHO seized the high ground from the clueless Republican stumblebums (any bloc with the likes of Ted Cruz in the leadership certainly isn’t stellar in the brains department)… he’s looking forward to 2016. Don’t bet on Hillary… remember WHY the Democrats nominated BHO… “He wasn’t Hillary”. Ponder that.
BMD
Voices from Russia 
President Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz’s Speech to the Cuban Nation and People on the Recent Developments in Cuban-American Bilateral Relations
Tags: Barack Obama, Communist Party of Cuba, Communists, Cuba, Cuban Revolution, diplomacy, diplomatic relations, embargo, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, Fidel Castro, Francis I, Francisco Bergoglio, political commentary, politics, Pope Francis, Pope Francis I, Pope Francisco, Raúl Castro, sanctions, socialism, Socialist, Socialists, unilateral sanctions, United States embargo against Cuba
President Raúl Castro Ruz’s policies align Cuba in a tacit alliance with the BRICS; it remains close to both Russia and China in their struggle with the West
______________________________
Since my election as President of the State Council and Council of Ministers, on many occasions, I’ve reiterated our willingness to hold a respectful dialogue with the USA based on sovereign equality, to deal reciprocally with a variety of topics without detriment to the national Independence and self-determination of our people. On several occasions, both publicly and privately, Comrade Fidel conveyed this stance to the US Government during our long-standing struggle, stating our 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, proved their continued faithfulness to our ideals of independence and social justice. Strongly united throughout these 56 years of Revolution, we’ve kept our unswerving loyalty to those who died to defend our principles since the beginning of our wars of independence in 1868. Today, despite difficulties, we’ve embarked on the task of updating our economic model to build a prosperous and sustainable Socialism.
Because of dialogue at the highest level, which included a phone conversation I had yesterday with President Obama, we’ve been able to make headway to solve some topics of mutual interest for both nations. As Fidel promised on June 2001, when he said, “They shall return!” Gerardo, Ramon, and Antonio arrived today in our homeland. Hundreds of solidarity committees and groups, governments, parliaments, organisations, institutions, and personalities, who for the last sixteen years made tireless efforts demanding their release, share the enormous joy of their families and of all our people, who relentlessly fought for this goal. 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 USA. I also want to thank the Government of Canada for facilitating high-level dialogue between the two countries. In turn, we decided to release and send back to the USA a spy of Cuban origin who worked for that nation. On the other hand, for humanitarian reasons, today, we also sent the American citizen Alan Gross back to his country. Unilaterally, as has always been our practise, and in strict compliance with the provisions of our legal system, the concerned prisoners received legal benefits, including the release of those persons that the US Government had conveyed their interest in.
We also agreed to renew diplomatic relations. In no way does this mean that we’ve solved the heart of the matter. The economic, commercial, and financial blockade, which causes enormous human and economic damages to our country, must stop. Although the blockade is part of American law, the President of the USA has the executive authority to modify its implementation. We propose to the US Government that we adopt mutual steps to improve the bilateral atmosphere and advance towards normalisation of relations between our two countries, based on the principles of International Law and the UN Charter. Cuba reiterates its willingness to coöperate in multilateral bodies, such as the United Nations.
Whilst 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 US Government 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’s possible to find solutions to many problems. As we’ve reiterated, we must learn the art of coexisting with our differences in a civilised way.
Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz
President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba
President of the Council of State of Cuba
First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC)
Greanville Post
http://www.greanvillepost.com/2014/12/17/the-new-opening-with-the-usa/?utm_campaign=Newsatme&utm_content=The%2BNew%2BOpening%2BWith%2Bthe%2BUSA&utm_medium=news%40me&utm_source=mail%2Balert
Editor:
By doing this, President Obama makes it clear that he, not the GOP Greedsters, will set the tone of debate for the next two years. I expect further actions… firstly, he acted unilaterally on immigration, now, he’s acting unilaterally on Cuba. You see, the pinheaded Republican Affluent Effluent didn’t expect these actions, so, they’re not reacting in a reasoned way. BHO is carefully turning up the heat under the ignoranus Know-Nothing GOP to provoke them into stupid statements (not a hard task, truly… the GOP isn’t called the “Stupid Party” for nought). Instead of pursuing their own agenda, the Republicans HAVE to respond to BHO’s moves or have their crackbrained base savage them. In short, its sweet revenge for BHO… he’s FAR smarter than the Republican imbeciles think that he is. His foreign policy towards Russia is a shambles… but I’d say that Russia is VERY low on his list of priorities. His real focus has always been domestic policy. I expect that the next executive order could involve the ACA or homosexual rights… with an anti-Wall Street action an outside possibility.
BHO seized the high ground from the clueless Republican stumblebums (any bloc with the likes of Ted Cruz in the leadership certainly isn’t stellar in the brains department)… he’s looking forward to 2016. Don’t bet on Hillary… remember WHY the Democrats nominated BHO… “He wasn’t Hillary”. Ponder that.
BMD