Stage being set for historic Obama-Castro meeting Saturday

[Lite Beer]

Stage being set for historic Obama-Castro meeting Saturday
JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press
JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press

PANAMA CITY (AP) — President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro moved toward a groundbreaking meeting on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas Friday in what would be a remarkable display of reconciliation between two nations with the leadership of the Western Hemisphere gathered around them.

The powerful symbolism of a face-to-face exchange Saturday between the leaders could signal progress even though both sides are still working through nettlesome issues that would lead to the opening of embassies in Washington and Havana, the first stage in a new diplomatic relationship.

Obama cast the move to end 50 years of hostile relations as a triumph for the Cuban people.

"As the United States begins a new chapter in our relationship with Cuba, we hope it will create an environment that improves the lives of the Cuban people," he told a meeting of civil society groups, including Cuban dissidents. "Not because it is imposed by us, the United States, but through the talent and ingenuity and aspirations, and the conversations among Cubans from all walks of life so they can decide what the best course is for their prosperity."

The White House was coy over the status of the State Department's recommendation to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terror. Removal is a top issue with Castro because it would not only eliminate Cuba's status as a pariah, but also ease Cuba's ability to conduct simple financial transactions.

Nevertheless, the pace of activity over the terror list suggested that even if Obama did not make an announcement Saturday, one would come soon.

The U.S.-Cuban outreach entered a new, accelerated stage in recent days, with Obama speaking with Castro by phone Wednesday and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry holding a lengthy meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez late Thursday.

The Cuban foreign ministry issued a brief account of the Kerry-Rodriguez meeting, saying they met for nearly three hours in a "respectful and constructive atmosphere."

It was the highest-level, face-to-face contact between officials from the two countries since the Dec. 17 announcement that Washington and Havana would move to restore diplomatic relations that were severed in 1961.

Even as Washington talked up the historic shift toward Cuba, leftist leaders in Latin America took shots at the U.S. in solidarity with Venezuela.

Barely off the plane, President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela laid a wreath at a monument to victims of the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. To shouts of "Maduro, stick it to the Yankee," he vowed to personally ask Obama to apologize to Panama and compensate victims of what he called a "massacre" that left more than 500 people dead during the invasion.

"Never again a U.S. invasion in Latin America," Maduro said.

President Evo Morales of Bolivia said he backs Maduro's drive to end U.S. intervention in the region.

For Obama and Castro, their conversation Wednesday was the first since they spoke Dec. 17.

The flurry of diplomacy around the summit was recognition of the historic nature of the new relationship intended to end five decades of American presidents either isolating or working to overthrow Fidel Castro's government. Officials hoped to make the most of the exchange between the two men.

Still, Obama made a point of meeting with about 15 Latin American activists, including two Cubans who have challenged Castro's government. The White House identified the Cubans as Laritza Diversent, a human rights lawyer and independent journalist, and Manuel Cuesta Morua, a leader of a centrist opposition group. A large contingent of pro-Castro Cubans who were supposed to participate in a larger civil society forum left shortly before Obama spoke to protest the inclusion of Cuban dissidents.

Obama was already getting praise from allies in the Americas.

"President Obama is going to leave a legacy the way he is supporting Hispanics in the United States, and also his new policy for Cuba for us is very important," Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said as he met with Obama.

Removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terror would be a major milestone and likely generate controversy in the U.S., given the political repercussions of any Cuba opening. The sensitivities over Cuba are especially acute in Florida, a key presidential battleground, and they are likely to ignite vigorous debate among the presidential candidates.

Congress would have 45 days from the day Obama removes Cuba from the list to issue a resolution of disapproval, but the margin of passage would have to be veto proof.

Rep. Jeff Duncan, the chairman of a House panel on the Western Hemisphere, criticized taking Cuba off the list, saying a bipartisan coalition in Congress would demand that it first meet democratic, humanitarian and national security conditions. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is among Republicans considering a presidential bid, decried the expected Obama-Castro meeting and called the Cuban leader an "entrenched dictator."

___

Associated Press writers Andrea Rodriguez and Joshua Goodman in Panama City contributed to this report.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-04-11

[ezzra]

A funny man this Obama, things that are in urgent need to fix around the world

are ignored by him or getting luck luster attentions, but the Cuba issue, that no one

really cares about and of no significant value to the world at large, getting his priority

attention, and all for what? so he can add a chapter in his otherwise very dull and thin

memoirs?

[Naam]

Obama wants to get rid of a problem that ridiculed the Greatest Nation on Earth² for more than half a century. the Castro have survived ten U.S. presidents and their sanctions. it's about time to end the fiasco especially because -among others- 11 million Cubans and 1 million exiled Cubans care.

[h90]

A funny man this Obama, things that are in urgent need to fix around the world

are ignored by him or getting luck luster attentions, but the Cuba issue, that no one

really cares about and of no significant value to the world at large, getting his priority

attention, and all for what? so he can add a chapter in his otherwise very dull and thin

memoirs?

Yes strange making friends into enemies without reason and try to make old enemies friends......Not easy to understand

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been removed.

[NeverSure]

Another Obama head fake.

All the US is asking for is exchange of diplomats as in reopening embassies, and free movement of ambassadors so they don't live in a prison called an embassy.

Any lifting of trade sanctions or visa restrictions would have to come from Congress.

Fidel Castro overthrew the government with military force and became a communist military dictator. That government has ruled since the late 1950's.

When Castro had his military coup he nationalized (outright stole) the assets of foreign businesses which were primarily oil companies and manufacturing companies. The Castro regime had no clue how to run them and they threw the entire prosperous nation into poverty.

American companies in particular haven't forgotten those thefts nor has Congress.

Smoke a cigar, Obama and see if you can get a deal for an Embassy and free movement of ambassadors because that's the limit of your job.

[LuckyLew]

A funny man this Obama, things that are in urgent need to fix around the world

are ignored by him or getting luck luster attentions, but the Cuba issue, that no one

really cares about and of no significant value to the world at large, getting his priority

attention, and all for what? so he can add a chapter in his otherwise very dull and thin

memoirs?

You might not care ... but millions of others do

It is about time relations were normalized

[NeverSure]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Obama wants to get rid of a problem that ridiculed the Greatest Nation on Earth² for more than half a century. the Castro have survived ten U.S. presidents and their sanctions. it's about time to end the fiasco especially because -among others- 11 million Cubans and 1 million exiled Cubans care.

You're missing the main points, sorry.

Another Obama head fake.

All the US is asking for is exchange of diplomats as in reopening embassies, and free movement of ambassadors so they don't live in a prison called an embassy.

Any lifting of trade sanctions or visa restrictions would have to come from Congress.

Fidel Castro overthrew the government with military force and became a communist military dictator. That government has ruled since the late 1950's.

When Castro had his military coup he nationalized (outright stole) the assets of foreign businesses which were primarily oil companies and manufacturing companies. The Castro regime had no clue how to run them and they threw the entire prosperous nation into poverty.

American companies in particular haven't forgotten those thefts nor has Congress.

Smoke a cigar, Obama and see if you can get a deal for an Embassy and free movement of ambassadors because that's the limit of your job.

[NeverSure]

A funny man this Obama, things that are in urgent need to fix around the world

are ignored by him or getting luck luster attentions, but the Cuba issue, that no one

really cares about and of no significant value to the world at large, getting his priority

attention, and all for what? so he can add a chapter in his otherwise very dull and thin

memoirs?

You might not care ... but millions of others do

It is about time relations were normalized

That's right! You're the guy who can be counted on to cheer for totalitarian military dictatorships!

[geriatrickid]

A funny man this Obama, things that are in urgent need to fix around the world

are ignored by him or getting luck luster attentions, but the Cuba issue, that no one

really cares about and of no significant value to the world at large, getting his priority

attention, and all for what? so he can add a chapter in his otherwise very dull and thin

memoirs?

Because Cuba represents the easiest economic opportunity for the USA. Think about the billions to be made once the trade barriers come down. What better way to put tens of thousands to work building the commercial and private vehicles the Cubans need, or the heavy machinery, or the farm equipment, or the food and consumer items? Cuba is an economy ready for growth. Win win situation for everyone.

[ToddinChonburi]

There are so many comments you can make on this one , I think the Liberals say it best. A BAD DEAL IS BETTER THAN NO DEAL !!!!

And it started with Obama Care.

I can not wait until June when the ...it hits the fan over Iran . This is just a distraction.

These all would be good deals if the dam Republican's would just not show everyone how bad they are.

[Michael8511]

It's not the U.S. Or Obamas duty to fix problems around the world but it's time to stop sanctions to Cuba. The only thing the sanctions do is hurting the Cuban population. Cubans in U.S. Are allowed to travel there so it's time for the rest of the population to be able to travel to Cuba which is a beautiful country with very nice people. Europeans and Canadians are free to enjoy Cuba when Americans due to this longstanding useless sanctions can't. The sanctions may have served its purpose 40 years ago but today it's purpose is gone.

[wabothai]

Yes and the other side of the coin, MASS tourism will destroy Cuba. As most

other beautiful places in the world have been destroyed. The whole Caribbean isa good example, as is Thailand.

[NeverSure]

Cuba isn't ready for an economic boom. It's a communist military dictatorship that stole the good industries that Cuba had when it took power. It has no clue how to run them and many went out of business. It is the fault of the Castro government that the people are poor.

Until the Castros are ready to let go of the means of production and have a free economy, Cuba will remain poor. International businesses aren't going to invest there because Fidel Castro nationalized (stole) the ones that were there last time.

Like every other communist military dictatorship on the planet, it's an economic failure.

Obama's mission isn't about restoring trade. Only Congress could do that, and only private businesses could decide if they even want to. Obama's sole authority is to reestablish embassies and the catching point is that Castro won't allow free movement of embassy personnel in Cuba. Ambassadors and employees of the embassies were prisoners in the embassy and that isn't going to work.

Obama is working on reestablishing embassies. End of.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

I always wanted to go to Cuba and smoke one of them there Cubana Smokaronies while in the company of a pretty Cuban lady. Ed visa.