The challenge of building a future without forgetting the past
Hundreds of people gathered outside the newly reopened U.S. Embassy in Havana on August 14, to witness the historic flag-raising ceremony, the equivalent of no longer be prisoners of the past, standing before him where the three Marines who which took place at the Cuban mission in Washington on July 20.

Author: Iramsy Peraza Forte | internet@granma.cu
Author: laura Bécquer Paseiro | laura@granma.cu
Author: Sergio Alejandro Gómez | internet@granma.cu
august 18, 2015 12:08:58

Hundreds of people and journalists from across the world attended the reopening ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Havana.

Photo: Juvenal Balán

WHEN John Kerry stated on August 14, in Havana that Cuba and the United States could lowered the U.S. embassy flag on January 1961. To his right was Wayne Smith, a young diplomat assigned to the Cuban capital at the moment when President Eisenhower decided to sever diplomatic relations. Smith later became Head of the U.S. Interests Section at the end of the James Carter administration, but resigned at the beginning of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, becoming a tireless advocate for a change in U.S. policy towards the island. From the Malecón, three classic Chevrolets watched over the official reopening ceremony, the foremost a black 1959Impala.
History, just like the stars and stripes flag, was up in the air that morning.

Continue reading The challenge of building a future without forgetting the past Hundreds →

Cuba and U.S. discuss next steps in developing relations
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parilla this afternoon, August 14, reported that he and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed next steps to be taken as the countries move toward normalizing relations, now that the initial phase of reestablishing diplomatic relations has concluded

Author: Granma | internet@granma.cu
august 14, 2015 15:08:48

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parilla this afternoon, August 14, reported that he and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in a constructive and respectful conversation, discussed the next steps to be taken as the countries move toward normalizing relations, now that the initial phase of reestablishing diplomatic relations has concluded.

During a joint press conference at the Hotel Nacional, Rodríguez said that, to begin this next stage, agreement had been reached to establish a Bilateral Commission to identify questions which can be addressed immediately, as well as more complicated pending issues which have accumulated over the past 50 years.

Continue reading Cuba and U.S. discuss next steps in developing relations →

Cuban Foreign Minister meets U.S. Secretary of State
Rodríguez Parrilla insisted that the definitive lifting of the blockade is essential to the normalization of relations, and emphasized that, in the meantime, President Obama can continue using his executive powers to significantly reduce the blockade’s impact.

Author: Granma | internet@granma.cu
july 21, 2015 09:07:53

Yesterday afternoon, July 20, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba’s minister of Foreign Affairs, was welcomed at the U.S. State Department in Washington by his counterpart, John Kerry.

The heads of Cuban and U.S. diplomacy discussed the current state of relations between the two countries, as well as progress achieved since the announcements made on December 17, 2014, including Cuba’s removal from the list of States sponsors of terrorism; the historic meeting between President Raúl Castro and President Barack Obama in Panama; the expansion of official exchanges on issues of common interest; the re-establishment of diplomatic relations; and the re-opening of embassies.

Acknowledging the appeal made by President Obama to the U.S. Congress to definitively lift the blockade, as well as the steps which have been taken to modify aspects of its implementation, Minister Rodríguez Parrilla insisted that the lifting of the blockade is essential to the normalization of relations, as is the resolution of other problems which have accumulated over more than fifty years.

He emphasized that, in the meantime, President Obama can continue using his executive powers to significantly reduce the blockade’s impact.

The Cuban Minister reiterated the Cuban government’s willingness to move toward the normalization of relations with the United States on the basis of respect and equality – without compromising the island’s independence or sovereignty.

Both parties reiterated their interest in normalizing bilateral relations, recognizing that this will be a long and complex process that will require the willingness of both countries.

This is the first visit paid to the United States by a Cuban foreign minister since the triumph of the Revolution. The Cuban minister is in Washington leading the delegation which attended the re-opening of the Cuban Embassy in this country.