ARGENTINA-MERCOSUR/SUMMIT CLOSES South American leaders hail breakthrough in US-Cuba relations

Record ID: 449081

  • Title: ARGENTINA-MERCOSUR/SUMMIT CLOSES South American leaders hail breakthrough in US-Cuba relations
  • Date: 17th December 2014
  • Summary: PARANA, ENTRE RIOS, ARGENTINA (DECEMBER 17, 2014) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF ARGENTINE PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ AND BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT EVO MORALES ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ, SAYING: "It's a day when three Cuban prisoners have been released, where some thought that we would never see in the history of our sister country Cuba. Also, an intelligent decision from United States President Barack Obama. I think it's going to give him more grey hairs than he has now but that doesn't matter. It's a decision that will go down in history and I think that it's very important because in history Cuba has been a small great country which has withstood 53 years of isolation and blockade, just 90 km. (55 miles) from the most powerful country in the world." MORALES AND FERNANDEZ DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ, SAYING: "It was foolish to believe that it (blockade) would have a different outcome, having always repeated the same thing. More words, less words, this is what President Barack Obama said. They got not results with what they've done for such a long time, so it's absurd to expert a different outcome with the same method. Welcome to intelligence and openness and welcome Cuba, who was always amongst us." AUDIENCE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ, SAYING: "Today is Pope Francis' birthday, the Argentine Pope. He had an important role in mediation, recognised by Raul Castro today. Today we celebrate this result, not just Argentines but also South Americans, Latin Americans. This should be celebrated the world over because when you introduce a culture of dialogue blockades end as well as outrageous economic sanctions. To the countries, it's a triumph for all people of the world." VARIOUS OF FERNANDEZ AND MORALES LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 1st January 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA256EKE7LQP6ILCAA8PZEMP602
  • Story Text: South American leaders welcomed moves by the United States and Cuba to restore diplomatic ties at the close of the Mercosur summit in Argentina on Wednesday (December 17), hailing Pope Francis's role in ending more than 50 years of hostility.
    The move was made possible by Havana's release of American Alan Gross, 65, who had been imprisoned in Cuba for five years.
    Cuba is also releasing an intelligence agent who spied for the United States and was held for nearly 20 years, and the United States in return freed three Cuban intelligence agents held in the United States.
    Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said the move to normalise ties between the nations would go down in history.
    "It's a day when three Cuban prisoners have been released, where some thought that we would never see in the history of our sister country Cuba. Also, an intelligent decision from United States President Barack Obama. I think it's going to give him more grey hairs than he has now but that doesn't matter. It's a decision that will go down in history and I think that it's very important because in history Cuba has been a small great country which has withstood 53 years of isolation and blockade, just 90 km. (55 miles) from the most powerful country in the world," she said.
    The policy shift will mean an opening to some commerce and transportation without ending a longstanding trade embargo. That is codified in legislation and needs congressional approval that Obama said he would seek, but he will likely face a struggle.
    While travel restrictions that make it hard for most Americans to visit will be eased, the door will not yet be open for broad U.S. tourism on the Caribbean island.
    Fernandez criticised the United States' "foolish" embargo that was installed in 1961 after Fidel Castro came to power.
    "It was foolish to believe that it (embargo) would have a different outcome, having always repeated the same thing. More words, less words, this is what President Barack Obama said. They got not results with what they've done for such a long time, so it's absurd to expert a different outcome with the same method. Welcome to intelligence and openness and welcome Cuba, who was always amongst us," she added.
    Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, reportedly played an active role in pressing for Gross' release. A sizeable part of Cuba's population is Roman Catholic. The Vatican worked closely with both sides and hosted in-person meetings of U.S. officials, senior Obama administration officials said.
    On the pontiff's birthday, Fernandez hailed the role of the Argentine-born Pope in the talks.
    "Today is Pope Francis' birthday, the Argentine Pope. He had an important role in mediation, recognised by Raul Castro today. Today we celebrate this result, not just Argentines but also South Americans, Latin Americans. This should be celebrated the world over because when you introduce a culture of dialogue blockades end as well as outrageous economic sanctions. To the countries, it's a triumph for all people of the world," said Fernandez.
    Latin America has long criticised the United States for the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba and called for the Communist-run island's inclusion in regional forums. But fierce opposition in the United States had seen both sides remain at deadlock over the issue.
    Brazil's Dilma Rousseff told media many had thought the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba would never arrive.
    "As President Cristina said, a day like today which workers would never have imagined. We can see at this moment the return of relations between the United States and Cuba. I want to compliment President Raul Castro and also President Barack Obama, especially Pope Francis because he was possibly one of the most important factors in this closer approach. This is a moment that marks a change in civilisation, showing that it is possible to re-establish relations that were interrupted many years ago," said Rousseff.
    The deal with the United States is a diplomatic victory for Cuban President Raul Castro who has said he will step down in 2018.
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