Mutual compensation: a complex issue
Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno describes second informative meeting between Cuba and the U.S. to discuss compensation claims by both parties
Author: Laura Bécquer Paseiro | laura@granma.cu
august 2, 2016 09:08:37

Photo: Jose M. Correa
During a press conference in Havana, yesterday August 1, Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno described the second informative meeting between Cuba and the U.S. held in Washington, July 28, to discuss compensation claims by both parties.
Talks on mutual compensation, as part of the process of normalization of relations between the two countries, are currently in their initial stage, and of a highly complicated nature, technically and legally, explained Moreno, who led Cuba’s delegation to the meeting.
He recalled that since the very first nationalizations laws were established, after the triumph of the Revolution, Cuba has always been willing to compensate foreign individuals and companies affected.
Moreno noted that agreements regarding nationalized property were reached with Canada and five European countries some time ago. Plans with the United States for compensation included a defined time frame, but the actions of the U.S. government prevented their realization.
He clarified that the July 28 meeting involved an exchange of information, specifically on the two countries’ legal frameworks, giving continuity to a first meeting on the issue held in Havana in December of 2015.
No decision has been made regarding actual negotiations on compensation, but the exchange of information will continue over coming months, Moreno said.
He noted that many elements are involved in this discussion, most importantly the U.S. blockade which remains in full force. Cuba’s claims, originally presented in 1999 and 2000, are based on rulings made by Cuban courts placing the value of material and human damages caused by the blockade at 300 billion dollars.
Washington’s claims, Moreno reported, were established by the Justice Department’s Foreign Claims S

Pro-Cuba legislation inches forward in Congres
The debate over Cuba is gaining strength in the U.S. Congress, despite that fact that a year and a half after President Barack Obama called for lifting the blockade, no concrete steps have been taken
Author: Sergio Alejandro Gómez | informacion@granma.cu
june 27, 2016 11:06:49

Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Jeff Flake (R-Ari¬zona) are pushing through a bill to lift travel restrictions to Cuba in the U.S. Senate. Photo: www.article.wn.com Photo: Granma

The debate over Cuba is gaining strength in the U.S. Congress, despite that fact that a year and a half after President Barack Obama called for lifting the blockade, no concrete steps have been taken.
Last week, as part of the 2017 Financial Services and General Government Bill, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved four amendments to remove restrictions on travel to Cuba; authorize private loans for the sale of agricultural products to the island; expand exports of equipment and telecommunications services; and allow airplanes from third countries flying to or from Cuba to refuel in the Bangor International Airport, in the state of Maine.

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The blockade continues intact, assures Bruno Rodríguez
Speaking during a press conference offered to national and international media in Havana, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez referred to the recent amendments announced by the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Commerce and the upcoming visit by President Barack Obama
Author: Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla | internet@granma.cu
march 17, 2016 16:03:28

Photo: Cubaminrex
On March 15, the Departments of the Treasury and of Commerce issued new regulations that modify the implementation of some aspects of the US blockade against Cuba.
This is the fourth announcement of this sort made by the Government of the United States since December 17, 2014, when the presidents of both countries made public their decision to re-establish diplomatic relations.
We are currently analyzing their scope and practical effects in order to confirm their feasibility.
After a preliminary consideration of these measures, it can be affirmed that they are positive.
Some of them expand the scope of those which had been adopted before; so is the case for the one authorizing now individual “people-to-people” educational travels. However, it should be recalled that the legal prohibition that prevents US citizens from freely traveling to Cuba is still in force. This prohibition should be lifted by the US Congress.

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