CUBA-USA/PREPS As U.S. makes final preparations ahead of raising its flag over embassy, Cubans are hopeful for upcoming changes

Record ID: 144212

  • Title: CUBA-USA/PREPS As U.S. makes final preparations ahead of raising its flag over embassy, Cubans are hopeful for upcoming changes
  • Date: 12th August 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (AUGUST 12, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FISHERMAN ON PIER CUBAN FLAGS ON BUILDING OUTSIDE U.S. EMBASSY U.S. EMBASSY AS SEEN THROUGH GATE U.S. SHIELD VARIOUS OF WORKERS HAMMERING AT U.S. EMBASSY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HAVANA RESIDENT, ANGEL (AHN-hell) FERNANDEZ, SAYING: "We're seeing marvellous changes in the relations between Cuba and the United States. I'm completely convinced that this will be resolved, that there will be greater possibilities that we're finally accepted and all of that because of the agreement to open the embassies of Cuba and the United States." U.S. EMBASSY CUBAN FLAG PEOPLE SWEEPING ANTI-IMPERIALIST STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HAVANA RESIDENT, IDALIA (ee-DAH-lee-ah) CUELLAR (kweh-YAR), SAYING: "That, after so many years, Cuba and the United States have relations again will be a great benefit for families-- both the families over there (the U.S.) and those here." SECURITY GUARD HELPING COUPLE WHO WANT TO ENTER U.S. EMBASSY EXTERIOR OF U.S. EMBASSY PEOPLE ON QUEUE TO ENTER U.S. EMBASSY GUARD OUTSIDE U.S. EMBASSY PEOPLE WAITING TO ENTER EMBASSY
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA41K6CP88J2CTOFKEA3BK5NI0A
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Just days before the United States raises its flag over the former Interests Section building in Havana for the first time in 54 years, Cubans looked ahead to what the future might hold in light of the recent rapprochement between Washington and Havana.
    The raising of the flag is an important symbolic gesture of the restoration of ties between the United States and Cuba, opening a new chapter of engagement between the former Cold War foes.
    On Friday (August 14), U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Cuba for the embassy's inauguration in which U.S. officials will ceremoniously hoist the Stars and Stripes over the premises.
    Workers could be seen making exterior repairs at the premises.
    Havana resident Angel (AHN-hell) Fernandez said he is confident the new relations between both countries will bring about positive changes.
    "We're seeing marvellous changes in the relations between Cuba and the United States. I'm completely convinced that this will be resolved, that there will be greater possibilities that we're finally accepted and all of that because of the agreement to open the embassies of Cuba and the United States," Fernandez said.
    The Cuban flag waved close-by as a group of women swept the stairs in front of the U.S. Embassy.
    Another Havana resident, Idalia (ee-DAH-lee-ah) Cuellar (kweh-YAR), said this rapprochement would benefit families.
    "That, after so many years, Cuba and the United States have relations again will be a great benefit for families-- both the families over there (the U.S.) and those here," said Cuellar.
    In Havana, people queued outside the embassy which was reopened for business in July but with little fanfare.
    Last month, the Cuban flag was raised over Havana's embassy in Washington, a milestone in the diplomatic thaw that began with an announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro on December 17.
    Cuba has urged Obama to use executive powers to circumvent the Republican Congress to dismantle the economic embargo, one of the main stumbling blocks to full normalization of ties. For its part, the Obama administration pressed Havana for improvement on human rights.
    But even with continuing friction, the reopening of embassies in each other's capitals has provided the most concrete symbols yet of what has been achieved after more than two years of negotiations between governments that had long shunned each other.
    Obama has modestly eased some business and travel restrictions but the broader 53-year-old embargo remains in place. Only Congress can lift it, something the majority Republicans are unlikely to do anytime soon despite the Democratic president's appeal for it to be rescinded.
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