Castro said that diplomatic relations could not truly resume until the USA gives back the Guantanamo Naval Base, and compensates Cuba for the negative impact on the Cuban people of the decades of trade and travel restrictions. But in his speech, Castro warned Obama further steps need to be taken to re-establish full relations. The United States and Israel have always voted against the declaration.
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Since his arrival in New York, on Thursday, September 24, Raul Castro has fulfilled an extensive program of activities that included meetings with world leaders and American personalities, as well as lead the ceremonies of establishment of diplomatic relations of Cuba with Palau and the Marshall Islands.
Castro also referred to, and quoted from, his older brother’s famous 1959 General Assembly speech, which at four and a half hours still holds the record for length.
It will be their second meeting, after a first historic encounter in Panama in April.
President Barack Obama declared Monday that the United States does not want a new Cold War over the Ukraine conflict and is prepared to work with Russian Federation and Iran on the Syrian crisis.
More than 160 heads of state and government were said to be attending this month’s United Nations meeting, including Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time. He particularly condemned “the distortion of the advancement and protection of human rights used with a selective and discriminatory approach to validate and impose political decisions” and the “irrational and unsustainable consumerism” that he alleged is exacerbating climate change. Reports published by Engage Cuba have stated that, in the event that the embargo is fully lifted, “U.S. merchandise exports to Cuba could reach $4.3 billion” and “U.S. service exports to Cuba could reach $1.6 billion”[4] per year. He also said that, “today, some 60 million men, women and children have been forced from their homes, many by conflicts in the Middle East and in Africa”.
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This story contains material from EFE and the AP.
