CUBA-USA/REAX-UPDATE National television brings embassy opening into Cubans' living rooms

Record ID: 146504

  • Title: CUBA-USA/REAX-UPDATE National television brings embassy opening into Cubans' living rooms
  • Date: 20th July 2015
  • Summary: WASHINGTON DC, USA (JULY 20, 2015) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) CUBAN FLAG BEING RAISED AT OPENING OF CUBAN EMBASSY
  • Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2TM191SWPBHD2163RIRPCYBOA
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The Cuban flag was raised over Havana's embassy in Washington on Monday (July 20) for the first time in 54 years as the United States and Cuba formally restored relations, opening a new chapter of engagement between the former Cold War foes.
    Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez presided over the re-inauguration of the embassy, 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.
    In Havana, families watched the historic moment on an official televised broadcast, which many had waited for so long to see.
    "I hoped this would happen sometime because why shouldn't there be union between the two countries? I wanted us to achieve the peace that we have waited so many years for. We have waited so many years for this moment, and that is why I am so moved," said Carmen Boza, a retired nurse living in Havana.
    Serious differences remain between the United States and Cuba, and efforts toward full normalization of ties are expected to proceed slowly. But the ceremonies carried enormous symbolism after more than two years of negotiations between governments that had long shunned each other.
    The Cuban foreign minister said the Cuban flag that hung outside the Washington embassy when it closed in 1961 will now be displayed inside. He spoke at a reception inside the stately building, which was visited by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro just months after he seized power in Cuba in 1959.
    Earlier, a three-man honour guard marched onto the front lawn where the Cuban flag was mounted on a newly installed pole while a band played the Cuban national anthem.
    As the flag was slowly raised, there were competing chants from the crowd outside the gates. "Cuba si, embargo no!" Shouted one group. "Cuba si, Fidel no," yelled a much smaller group.
    More than 500 people, including Obama administration officials, U.S. lawmakers and a large visiting Cuban delegation, attended the ceremony at the nearly century-old mansion that was being converted back into the Cuban Embassy.
    The U.S. delegation was headed by Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson.
    In Havana, the U.S. Embassy was also reopened for business with no outward sign of change. Embassy staff flashed new badges and business cards, and the website, Twitter feed and Facebook page of the mission changed. The Stars and Stripes, however, will not be hoisted there until a visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expected on August 14.
    Cubans gathered outside the embassy waving "Welcome USA" banners and sporting T-shirts which displayed the two flags side by side.
    "They are two countries which could be like brothers and which have been in dispute for a long time. The whole world was desperate for that to end and to be able to say that there is union between the two countries," said Cuban Berta Medinilla.
    "It is really very emotional, I am speechless because it is something we did not expect. There are always conversations and more conversations but then nothing, and we are left think will it or won't it be. Will it? Won't it? And now it has really happened," Marelys Popa added.
    Earlier and without fanfare, maintenance workers hung the Cuban flag in the lobby of the U.S. State Department, where it joined the banners of other countries with which the United States has diplomatic relations.
    In a further sign of a desire to move past decades of enmity, Kerry and Rodriguez, the first Cuban foreign minister on an official visit to Washington since the Cuban Revolution, were due to meet at the State Department and then hold a news conference later on Monday.
    The crowd at the embassy reopening included members of Congress who have supported rapprochement.
    No invitations went to hard-line anti-Castro lawmakers, such as Senators Marco Rubio and Bob Menendez, who have opposed Obama's outreach and modest easing of restrictions on business and travel.
    Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush underscored his opposition to the diplomacy on Twitter on Monday: "Obama's rush to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba is wrong. This embassy will only serve to further legitimize repressive regime."
    The opening to Cuba marked a major application of Obama's presidential doctrine of negotiating with enemies, a concept that now faces an even tougher test with a nuclear deal reached with Iran last week.
    But both countries have made clear that restoration of ties, agreed on July 1, will be just a step in a long normalization process that is only inching along because of lingering disputes, as well as Havana's desire to keep a tight rein on Cuba's society and its state-run economy.
    Differences include the U.S. economic embargo, Cuba's human rights record and Washington's retention of its naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
    The embargo will remain in place, and only Congress can lift it, something majority Republicans are unlikely to do anytime soon.
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