Editor’s
note: On a daily basis from June 1
thru June 30, 2015 Pillar to Post online magazine is featuring articles, photos
and insights resulting from a recent group tour, an adventure we dubbed: the
April 23 Brigade’s Tour of Cuba 2015.
Historic Handshake
On April
10, 2015 at a convention of American States held in Panama City, Panama,
President Obama and President Raul Castro shook hands at a brief meeting
between the two leaders.
Earlier
that day, Obama and Castro made the following remarks:
PRESIDENT OBAMA:
This is obviously a historic meeting.
The history between the United States and Cuba is obviously complicated,
and over the years a lot of mistrust has developed. But during the course of the last several
months, there have been contacts between the U.S. and the Cuban
government. And in December, as a
consequence of some of the groundwork that had been laid, both myself and
President Castro announced a significant change in policy and the relationship
between our two governments.
I think
that after 50 years of policy that had not changed on the part of the United
States, it was my belief that it was time to try something new, that it was
important for us to engage more directly with the Cuban government and the
Cuban people. And as a consequence, I
think we are now in a position to move on a path towards the future, and leave
behind some of the circumstances of the past that have made it so difficult, I
think, for our countries to communicate.
Already
we’ve seen majorities of the American people and the Cuban people respond
positively to this change. And I truly
believe that as more exchanges take place, more commerce and interactions
resume between the United States and Cuba, that the deep connections between
the Cuban people and the American people will reflect itself in a more positive
and constructive relationship between our governments.
Now,
obviously there are still going to be deep and significant differences between
our two governments. We will continue to
try to lift up concerns around democracy and human rights. And as you heard from President Castro’s
passionate speech this morning, they will lift up concerns about U.S. policy as
well.
But I
think what we have both concluded is that we can disagree with the spirit of
respect and civility, and that over time it is possible for us to turn the page
and develop a new relationship in our two countries.
And some
of our immediate tasks include normalizing diplomatic relations and ultimately
opening an embassy in Havana, and Cuba being able to open an embassy in
Washington, D.C. so that our diplomats are able to interact on a more regular
basis.
So I want
to thank President Castro for the spirit of openness and courtesy that he has
shown during our interactions. And I
think if we can build on this spirit of mutual respect and candidness, that
over time we will see not just a transformation in the relationship between our
two countries, but a positive impact throughout the hemisphere and the world.
And
President Castro earlier today spoke about the significant hardships that the
people of Cuba have undergone over many decades. I can say with all sincerity that the essence
of my policy is to do whatever I can to make sure that the people of Cuba are
able to prosper and live in freedom and security, and enjoy a connection with
the world where their incredible talents and ingenuity and hard work can
thrive.
PRESIDENT CASTRO:
(As interpreted.) Well, Mr.
President, friends from the press, we have been making long speeches and
listening to many long speeches too, so I do not want to abuse the time of
President Obama or your time.
I think
that what President Obama has just said, it’s practically the same as we feel
about the topics, including human rights, freedom of the press. We have said on previous occasions to some
American friends that we are willing to discuss every issue between the United
States and Cuba. We are willing to
discuss about those issues that I have mentioned and about many others, as
these -- both in Cuba but also in the United States.
I think
that everything can be on the table. I
think that we can do it, as President Obama has just said, with respect for the
ideas of the other. We could be
persuaded of some things; of others, we might not be persuaded. But when I say that I agree with everything
that the President has just said, I include that we have agreed to
disagree. No one should entertain illusions. It is true that we have many
differences. Our countries have a long
and complicated history, but we are willing to make progress in the way the
President has described.
We can
develop a friendship between our two peoples.
We shall continue advancing in the meetings which are taking place in
order to reestablish relations between our countries. We shall open our embassies. We shall visit each other, having exchanges,
people to people. And all that matters
is what those neighbors can do; we are close neighbors, and there are many
things that we can have.
So we are
willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient -- very patient. Some things we will agree on; others we will
disagree. The pace of life at the
present moment in the world, it’s very fast.
We might disagree on something today on which we could agree
tomorrow. And we hope that our closest
assistants -- part of them are here with us today -- we hope that they will
follow the instructions of both Presidents.
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