The stars and stripes are once again flying about the U.S. Embassy in Cuba.
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Speaking to about 300 foreign journalists at the National Hotel of Cuba, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said, “We have decided today to establish a bilateral commission to address issues that must be urgently addressed, including those remained without a solution over 50 years”.
“We strongly believe that, despite the differences that exist between the governments of Cuba and the United States, which will not disappear, it is possible to build civilized and respectful and productive relations – different in nature from those which have existed in the past”.
The U.S. Embassy in Havana will be a hollow one, with the Cuban government limiting our diplomats the freedom of movement.
Three retired Marines who last lowered the flag in 1961 participated in the ceremony, handing a new flag to the Marine Color Guard, which raised it on the grounds outside the embassy building on the Havana seafront.
Mr Kerry said at the ceremony the US administration wish to lift its trade embargo on Cuba but have so far been blocked by the Republican-controlled congress. The letter makes no mention of the reopening of the United States embassy.
The official said Kerry looks forward to seeing many members of Cuban civil society, including dissidents, at that event.
High-ranking Cuban officials, US business executives and Cuban-Americans who pushed for rebuilding relations with Cuba gathered inside the former US Interests Section, newly emblazoned with the letters “Embassy of the United States of America”.
“The road of mutual isolation and estrangement that the U.S. and Cuba have been traveling is not the right one”, Kerry said in remarks during the flag-raising ceremony.
In an article entitled “Reality and Dreams”, Castro said the U.S. social justice must be consolidated so that all people may have access to education, health and nutrition.
The historically charged photo-op put a coda on the historic rapprochement announced on December 17 by US President Barack Obama and Cuban counterpart Raul Castro, which paved the way for the two countries to reopen their embassies on July 20.
“I’m amazed by the spirit of these people after so many years”, said Shelton, who visited Cuba in March as part of a delegation from Louisiana. As a compromise, dissidents and other Cubans were invited to the residence of the U.S. mission’s chief later in the day.
In a newspaper column published on his 89th birthday Thursday, Fidel Castro repeated claims the U.S. owes Cuba millions of dollars in damages caused by a long-standing trade embargo.
Obama has called for the repeal of legislation that bars most U.S. trade with Cuba.
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The Castro government will use Kerry’s visit to push for the lifting of the full embargo, in place since 1962.
