CUBA-USA/REFLECTIONS Mixed expectations in Havana amidst US detente as ideological divide remains

Record ID: 144220

  • Title: CUBA-USA/REFLECTIONS Mixed expectations in Havana amidst US detente as ideological divide remains
  • Date: 11th August 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (RECENT - JULY 20, 2015) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF U.S. EMBASSY IN HAVANA MAN WITH BANNER THAT READS "WELCOME USA" VARIOUS OF WOMEN DRESSED IN T-SHIRTS WITH U.S. AND CUBAN FLAGS HAVANA, CUBA (RECENT - AUGUST 03, 2015) (REUTERS) MONSIGNOR JOSE FELIX PEREZ, OF THE CUBAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE, SPEAKING TO MEDIA
  • Embargoed: 26th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVACLI4EAPMLAJX2J18N8RBFCMM5
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Jubilation and apprehension in Havana amidst a new dawn for Cuba-U.S. relations between the former Cold War foes, as both nations look set to turn over a new diplomatic leaf after more than five decades.
    Last month, Cuba re-opened its embassy in Washington, a milestone in the diplomatic thaw that began with a December announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro.
    With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry due in Cuba later this week for a ceremony to open the U.S. embassy in Havana for what the U.S. State Department says is the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to Cuba in 70 years, a new chapter of engagement is unfolding.
    The Vatican played a key role in bringing Cuba and the U.S. together, with Pope Francis having written a letter to both Obama and Castro urging a closer relationship.
    Speaking to Reuters, Monsignor Jose Felix Perez of Cuba's Catholic Bishops' Conference, said the détente will help bring families separated by the Florida Straits together.
    "So far there is evidence to suggest that the approach, dialogue, the negotiations could contribute to, for example, reuniting families, decrease the tension or psychological pain in families that live in Cuba, the United States. A lot of time has passed and they haven't met, there are times when a family member dies and the closest relatives cannot attend to them. This (closer US-Cuba ties) will make things more viable, a more fluid communication, it will defuse the psychological burden," he said.
    The United States' six-storey embassy in Havana ceased operations in 1961 when ties were abruptly severed after Raul Castro's older brother, Fidel Castro, nationalized U.S. properties two years after Castro toppled U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista and steered the country on a leftist course.
    Former Cuban diplomat Carlos Alzugaray told Reuters he hopes both sides will turn over a new leaf.
    "I would agree with President Obama that Cubans don't have to be hostages of the past. And of course the past is not a very good past. The American Embassy in Cuba supported Batista, has interfered in the past in the internal affairs of Cuba, in very obvious ways. So I hope that under the new conditions they realise they have a lot to lose from that attitude and they will have a lot to win from having a different attitude. So in my view, how would I react, I would extend to every American diplomat the hospitality and the good will, not letting the past determine my actions, but not forgetting that that past exists," said Alzugaray.
    The United States has pressed Cuba to improve human rights during historic, high-level talks. While Havana did release 53 political prisoners, paving the way for improved relations, much of the island's opposition has been divided, saying that crackdowns continue on the dissidents and there are other political prisoners in jail.
    Elizardo Sanchez, who heads Cuba's independent National Human Rights and Reconciliation Commission, said he welcomes the talks but has not seen Havana make the reforms needed to modernize the country and open up free speech and media.
    "Because it's better for the governments to talk to each other and resolve their differences at the negotiating table than at war, whether it's a hot or cold war. However, we are not hoping for and I don't think from the governments as well that there will be anything spectacular from the restoration of times because the Cuban government refuses to enact the urgent reforms that Cuba needs on civil rights, politics, the economy, social and even cultural (areas), so that things can improve here. So even after the opening of the embassies we will have a Cuba in the same situation, if not worse," said Sanchez.
    One chief area of disagreement is the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba which cannot be removed without action by the Republican-controlled Congress. Obama has loosed it by using his executive authority to ease some trade and travel restrictions, and is seeking to encourage nascent small businesses in Cuba by allowing more exports there. He has asked Congress to start lifting it but Havana has called for it to be removed completely.
    Monsignor Perez said many Cubans hope the warming ties with Washington will lead to both an economic improvement and more openness in their everyday life.
    "From an economic point of view, there are many expectations but I think this should be measured to the degree that the fundamentals occur, for example, economic investment and improvements in everyday life which is, I think, what people are waiting for, a looser standard of living in the economic sense. We should also expect an opening up when it comes to expressing ideas in an environment that is more tolerant to different opinions," he said.
    But any major breakthrough between Cuba and the United States would depend on overcoming more than 50 years of mistrust between the countries that remained adversaries for decades after events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban missile crisis.
    "It's difficult but it's not impossible. Relative trust with them (United States) can be established. That is if they respect us we respect them, if not we can't continue with these relations. Also, they have relationships with many countries they disagree with. We could have a relationship with the United States (and) keep our differences, which are very big," said journalist Mario Torres.
    The rapprochement by Obama, a Democrat, has met some resistance in Washington and among some influential Cuban-Americans. Critics say Cuba should not be rewarded unless it changes its one-party political system.
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