CUBA-USA/EMBASSY-NEWS CONFERENCE Cuban FM defends human rights record, says U.S. non-interference critical to relations

Record ID: 144041

  • Title: CUBA-USA/EMBASSY-NEWS CONFERENCE Cuban FM defends human rights record, says U.S. non-interference critical to relations
  • Date: 14th August 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (AUGUST 14, 2015) (REUTERS) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY AND CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ WALKING UP TO LECTERNS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ SAYING: "I want to emphasize that Cuba is very proud of its enforcement of the guarantee of the clear exercise of human rights, indivisible, interdependent, universal, civi
  • Embargoed: 29th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA3L1EHAT2B7OO86ZDW98R3UDFB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez defended Cuba's human rights record during a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday (August 14).
    "I want to emphasize that Cuba is very proud of its enforcement of the guarantee of the clear exercise of human rights, indivisible, interdependent, universal, civil liberties and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights with equality and conditions for each Cuban woman and man and each citizen."
    In the wake of a flag-raising ceremony at the newly reopened U.S. Embassy, both leaders acknowledged that there were still complicated issues to address moving forward.
    "The path to full normalization is not always going to be easy," Kerry said.
    He also played down concerns that the next U.S. president might roll back Barack Obama's policy of engaging Cuba after 10 prior presidents had sought to isolate Havana.
    "I can't imagine a Republican or Democrat just throwing it out the window," Kerry said of Obama's decision to restore diplomatic ties that had been severed for 54 years.
    Both men said they felt confident in the commission the two nations have established to address immediate and long-term issues.
    Kerry also added, "I can tell you this is going to be one of the great sought after travel spots of the world."
    The flag raising at the U.S. embassy comes nearly four weeks after the United States and Cuba formally renewed diplomatic relations and upgraded their diplomatic missions to embassies.
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