{"id":2818,"date":"2014-12-17T18:38:24","date_gmt":"2014-12-17T18:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=2818"},"modified":"2014-12-17T18:41:58","modified_gmt":"2014-12-17T18:41:58","slug":"president-obama-on-cuba-policy-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=2818","title":{"rendered":"President Obama On Cuba Policy Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Good afternoon.\u00a0 Today, the United States of America is changing its relationship with the people of Cuba.\u00a0 In the most significant changes in our policy in more than fifty years, we will end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries.\u00a0 Through these changes, we intend to create more opportunities for the American and Cuban people, and begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m6MgATBZMII?feature=player_embedded\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a complicated history between the United States and Cuba.\u00a0 I was born in 1961 \u2013- just over two years after Fidel Castro took power in Cuba, and just a few months after the Bay of Pigs invasion, which tried to overthrow his regime. Over the next several decades, the relationship between our countries played out against the backdrop of the Cold War, and America\u2019s steadfast opposition to communism.\u00a0 We are separated by just over 90 miles. But year after year, an ideological and economic barrier hardened between our two countries.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Cuban exile community in the United States made enormous contributions to our country \u2013- in politics and business, culture and sports.\u00a0 Like immigrants before, Cubans helped remake America, even as they felt a painful yearning for the land and families they left behind.\u00a0 All of this bound America and Cuba in a unique relationship, at once family and foe.<\/p>\n<p>Proudly, the United States has supported democracy and human rights in Cuba through these five decades. We have done so primarily through policies that aimed to isolate the island, preventing the most basic travel and commerce that Americans can enjoy anyplace else.\u00a0 And though this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions, no other nation joins us in imposing these sanctions, and it has had little effect beyond providing the Cuban government with a rationale for restrictions on its people.\u00a0 Today, Cuba is still governed by the Castros and the Communist Party that came to power half a century ago.<\/p>\n<p>Neither the American, nor Cuban people are well served by a rigid policy that is rooted in events that took place before most of us were born.\u00a0 Consider that for more than 35 years, we\u2019ve had relations with China \u2013- a far larger country also governed by a Communist Party.\u00a0 Nearly two decades ago, we reestablished relations with Vietnam, where we fought a war that claimed more Americans than any Cold War confrontation.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why -\u2013 when I came into office -\u2013 I promised to re-examine our Cuba policy.\u00a0 As a start, we lifted restrictions for Cuban Americans to travel and send remittances to their families in Cuba.\u00a0 These changes, once controversial, now seem obvious. Cuban Americans have been reunited with their families, and are the best possible ambassadors for our values.\u00a0 And through these exchanges, a younger generation of Cuban Americans has increasingly questioned an approach that does more to keep Cuba closed off from an interconnected world.<\/p>\n<p>While I have been prepared to take additional steps for some time, a major obstacle stood in our way \u2013- the wrongful imprisonment, in Cuba, of a U.S. citizen and USAID sub-contractor Alan Gross for five years.\u00a0 Over many months, my administration has held discussions with the Cuban government about Alan\u2019s case, and other aspects of our relationship.\u00a0 His Holiness Pope Francis issued a personal appeal to me, and to Cuba\u2019s President Raul Castro, urging us to resolve Alan\u2019s case, and to address Cuba\u2019s interest in the release of three Cuban agents who have been jailed in the United States for over 15 years.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Alan returned home \u2013- reunited with his family at long last.\u00a0 Alan was released by the Cuban government on humanitarian grounds.\u00a0 Separately, in exchange for the three Cuban agents, Cuba today released one of the most important intelligence agents that the United States has ever had in Cuba, and who has been imprisoned for nearly two decades.\u00a0 This man, whose sacrifice has been known to only a few, provided America with the information that allowed us to arrest the network of Cuban agents that included the men transferred to Cuba today, as well as other spies in the United States.\u00a0 This man is now safely on our shores.<\/p>\n<p>Having recovered these two men who sacrificed for our country, I\u2019m now taking steps to place the interests of the people of both countries at the heart of our policy.<\/p>\n<p>First, I\u2019ve instructed Secretary Kerry to immediately begin discussions with Cuba to reestablish diplomatic relations that have been severed since January of 1961.\u00a0 Going forward, the United States will reestablish an embassy in Havana, and high-ranking officials will visit Cuba.<\/p>\n<p>Where we can advance shared interests, we will -\u2013 on issues like health, migration, counterterrorism, drug trafficking and disaster response.\u00a0 Indeed, we\u2019ve seen the benefits of cooperation between our countries before.\u00a0 It was a Cuban, Carlos Finlay, who discovered that mosquitoes carry yellow fever; his work helped Walter Reed fight it.\u00a0 Cuba has sent hundreds of health care workers to Africa to fight Ebola, and I believe American and Cuban health care workers should work side by side to stop the spread of this deadly disease.<\/p>\n<p>Now, where we disagree, we will raise those differences directly -\u2013 as we will continue to do on issues related to democracy and human rights in Cuba.\u00a0 But I believe that we can do more to support the Cuban people and promote our values through engagement.\u00a0 After all, these 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked.\u00a0 It\u2019s time for a new approach.<\/p>\n<p>Second, I\u2019ve instructed Secretary Kerry to review Cuba\u2019s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.\u00a0 This review will be guided by the facts and the law.\u00a0 Terrorism has changed in the last several decades.\u00a0 At a time when we are focused on threats from al Qaeda to ISIL, a nation that meets our conditions and renounces the use of terrorism should not face this sanction.<\/p>\n<p>Third, we are taking steps to increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to and from Cuba.\u00a0 This is fundamentally about freedom and openness, and also expresses my belief in the power of people-to-people engagement.\u00a0 With the changes I\u2019m announcing today, it will be easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, and Americans will be able to use American credit and debit cards on the island.\u00a0 Nobody represents America\u2019s values better than the American people, and I believe this contact will ultimately do more to empower the Cuban people.<\/p>\n<p>I also believe that more resources should be able to reach the Cuban people.\u00a0 So we\u2019re significantly increasing the amount of money that can be sent to Cuba, and removing limits on remittances that support humanitarian projects, the Cuban people, and the emerging Cuban private sector.<\/p>\n<p>I believe that American businesses should not be put at a disadvantage, and that increased commerce is good for Americans and for Cubans.\u00a0 So we will facilitate authorized transactions between the United States and Cuba.\u00a0 U.S. financial institutions will be allowed to open accounts at Cuban financial institutions.\u00a0 And it will be easier for U.S. exporters to sell goods in Cuba.<\/p>\n<p>I believe in the free flow of information.\u00a0 Unfortunately, our sanctions on Cuba have denied Cubans access to technology that has empowered individuals around the globe.\u00a0 So I\u2019ve authorized increased telecommunications connections between the United States and Cuba.\u00a0 Businesses will be able to sell goods that enable Cubans to communicate with the United States and other countries.<\/p>\n<p>These are the steps that I can take as President to change this policy.\u00a0 The embargo that\u2019s been imposed for decades is now codified in legislation.\u00a0 As these changes unfold, I look forward to engaging Congress in an honest and serious debate about lifting the embargo.<\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, I spoke with Raul Castro to finalize Alan Gross\u2019s release and the exchange of prisoners, and to describe how we will move forward.\u00a0 I made clear my strong belief that Cuban society is constrained by restrictions on its citizens.\u00a0 In addition to the return of Alan Gross and the release of our intelligence agent, we welcome Cuba\u2019s decision to release a substantial number of prisoners whose cases were directly raised with the Cuban government by my team.\u00a0 We welcome Cuba\u2019s decision to provide more access to the Internet for its citizens, and to continue increasing engagement with international institutions like the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross that promote universal values.<\/p>\n<p>But I\u2019m under no illusion about the continued barriers to freedom that remain for ordinary Cubans.\u00a0 The United States believes that no Cubans should face harassment or arrest or beatings simply because they\u2019re exercising a universal right to have their voices heard, and we will continue to support civil society there.\u00a0 While Cuba has made reforms to gradually open up its economy, we continue to believe that Cuban workers should be free to form unions, just as their citizens should be free to participate in the political process.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, given Cuba\u2019s history, I expect it will continue to pursue foreign policies that will at times be sharply at odds with American interests.\u00a0 I do not expect the changes I am announcing today to bring about a transformation of Cuban society overnight.\u00a0 But I am convinced that through a policy of engagement, we can more effectively stand up for our values and help the Cuban people help themselves as they move into the 21st century.<\/p>\n<p>To those who oppose the steps I\u2019m announcing today, let me say that I respect your passion and share your commitment to liberty and democracy.\u00a0 The question is how we uphold that commitment.\u00a0 I do not believe we can keep doing the same thing for over five decades and expect a different result.\u00a0 Moreover, it does not serve America\u2019s interests, or the Cuban people, to try to push Cuba toward collapse.\u00a0 Even if that worked -\u2013 and it hasn\u2019t for 50 years \u2013- we know from hard-earned experience that countries are more likely to enjoy lasting transformation if their people are not subjected to chaos.\u00a0 We are calling on Cuba to unleash the potential of 11 million Cubans by ending unnecessary restrictions on their political, social, and economic activities.\u00a0 In that spirit, we should not allow U.S. sanctions to add to the burden of Cuban citizens that we seek to help.<\/p>\n<p>To the Cuban people, America extends a hand of friendship.\u00a0 Some of you have looked to us as a source of hope, and we will continue to shine a light of freedom.\u00a0 Others have seen us as a former colonizer intent on controlling your future.\u00a0 Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ed once said, \u201cLiberty is the right of every man to be honest.\u201d\u00a0 Today, I am being honest with you.\u00a0 We can never erase the history between us, but we believe that you should be empowered to live with dignity and self-determination.\u00a0 Cubans have a saying about daily life:\u00a0 \u201cNo es facil\u201d \u2013- it\u2019s not easy.\u00a0 Today, the United States wants to be a partner in making the lives of ordinary Cubans a little bit easier, more free, more prosperous.<\/p>\n<p>To those who have supported these measures, I thank you for being partners in our efforts.\u00a0 In particular, I want to thank His Holiness Pope Francis, whose moral example shows us the importance of pursuing the world as it should be, rather than simply settling for the world as it is; the government of Canada, which hosted our discussions with the Cuban government; and a bipartisan group of congressmen who have worked tirelessly for Alan Gross\u2019s release, and for a new approach to advancing our interests and values in Cuba.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, our shift in policy towards Cuba comes at a moment of renewed leadership in the Americas.\u00a0 This April, we are prepared to have Cuba join the other nations of the hemisphere at the Summit of the Americas.\u00a0 But we will insist that civil society join us so that citizens, not just leaders, are shaping our future.\u00a0 And I call on all of my fellow leaders to give meaning to the commitment to democracy and human rights at the heart of the Inter-American Charter.\u00a0 Let us leave behind the legacy of both colonization and communism, the tyranny of drug cartels, dictators and sham elections.\u00a0 A future of greater peace, security and democratic development is possible if we work together &#8212; not to maintain power, not to secure vested interest, but instead to advance the dreams of our citizens.<\/p>\n<p>My fellow Americans, the city of Miami is only 200 miles or so from Havana.\u00a0 Countless thousands of Cubans have come to Miami &#8212; on planes and makeshift rafts; some with little but the shirt on their back and hope in their hearts.\u00a0 Today, Miami is often referred to as the capital of Latin America.\u00a0 But it is also a profoundly American city -\u2013 a place that reminds us that ideals matter more than the color of our skin, or the circumstances of our birth; a demonstration of what the Cuban people can achieve, and the openness of the United States to our family to the South.\u00a0 Todos somos Americanos.<\/p>\n<p>Change is hard \u2013- in our own lives, and in the lives of nations.\u00a0 And change is even harder when we carry the heavy weight of history on our shoulders.\u00a0 But today we are making these changes because it is the right thing to do.\u00a0 Today, America chooses to cut loose the shackles of the past so as to reach for a better future \u2013- for the Cuban people, for the American people, for our entire hemisphere, and for the world.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you.\u00a0 God bless you and God bless the United States of America.<\/p>\n<p>END<br \/>\n12:16 P.M. EST<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Good afternoon.\u00a0 Today, the United States of America is changing its relationship with the people of Cuba.\u00a0 In the most significant changes in our policy in more than fifty years, we will end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,17,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-government","category-national-news","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/hero_2014_cuba_postremarks_0.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}