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Vol. 79/No. 25 July 20, 2015
Relations require ‘respect for
independence and sovereignty’
The following statement was issued by Cuba’s revolutionary government
July 1.
On July 1, 2015, the President of the Councils of State and of Ministers
of the Republic of Cuba, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and the President
of the United States of America, Barack Obama, exchanged letters through
which they confirmed their decision to re-establish diplomatic relations
between the two countries and as of July 20, 2015, open permanent
diplomatic missions in the respective capitals.
On that same day, the official ceremony to open the Cuban Embassy in
Washington will be held, which will be attended by a Cuban delegation
presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez
Parrilla, and made up of outstanding representatives of Cuban society.
As Cuba and the United States take this formal step, they ratified their
intention to develop respectful and cooperative relations between both
peoples and governments, based on the principles and purposes enshrined
in the United Nations Charter and International Law, particularly the
Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
The Government of Cuba has decided to re-establish diplomatic relations
with the United States in the full exercise of its sovereignty and with
an unwavering commitment to its ideals of independence and social
justice, and of solidarity with the just causes of the world,
reaffirming each and every one of the principles for which our people
have shed their blood and run every risk under the leadership of the
historic Leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.
The re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of
embassies completes the first stage of what will be a long and complex
process towards the normalization of bilateral relations, in which it
will be necessary to solve a number of issues derived from policies that
were implemented in the past that are still in force and affect the
Cuban nation and its people.
There can be no normal relations between Cuba and the United States as
long as the economic, commercial and financial blockade continues to be
fully implemented, causing damage and scarcities for the Cuban people.
The blockade is the main obstacle to the development of our economy; it
is a violation of International Law and affects the interests of all
countries, including those of the United States.
In order to normalize relations, it will also be indispensable for the
United States Government to return to Cuba the territory illegally
occupied by the Guantánamo Naval Base; cease the radio and television
broadcasts, which violate international regulations and are harmful to
our sovereignty; stop the implementation of programs aimed at promoting
internal subversion and destabilization and compensate the Cuban people
for the human and economic damages caused by the United States policies.
In recalling the issues that are still to be resolved between the two
countries, the Cuban government recognizes the decisions adopted so far
by President Obama making use of his executive powers, to remove Cuba
from the list of State sponsors of international terrorism; to encourage
the Congress of his country to lift the blockade and to begin taking
steps to modify the implementation of aspects of this policy.
Likewise, as part of the process towards the normalization of relations,
it will be necessary to build the foundations of a relationship that has
never in history existed between our countries, particularly since the
military intervention of the United States, 117 years ago, during the
independence war that Cuba waged for almost three decades against
Spanish colonialism.
These relations should be based on absolute respect of our independence
and sovereignty; the inalienable right of every State to choose its
political, economic, social and cultural system, without any form of
interference; and sovereign equality and reciprocity, which are
principles of International Law that cannot be relinquished.
The Government of Cuba reiterates its willingness to maintain a
respectful dialogue with the Government of the United States and develop
relations of civilized coexistence, based on respect for the differences
that exist between both governments and cooperation on issues of mutual
benefit.
Cuba shall continue to advance the process of updating its economic and
social model in order to build a prosperous and sustainable socialism,
to move towards the development of the country and to consolidate the
achievements of the Revolution.
Related articles:
In victory for revolution, Cuba, US to open embassies
Cuban 5 in South Africa: ‘We are soldiers of revolution’
Cuba helps push back Washington’s attacks on Venezuela
Build on revolutionary Cuba’s victory
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