Cuban Pesident Raúl Castro declared before the Third CELAC Summit that the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States won''t be possible as long as the US economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba exists, among other issues.
The resumption of diplomatic relations is the start of a process towards the normalization of bilateral relations, but this will not be possible as long as the blockade exists, unless the the territory illegally occupied by the Guantanamo Naval Base is given back to Cuba, radio and television broadcast stop and fair compensation is given to our people for human and economic losses, said Raul Castro.
In his speech at the Third Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, ongoing in this country, the Cuban president also said yesterday it would not be ethical, just or acceptable to demand something from Cuba in exchange for it.
If these problems are not solved, this diplomatic rapprochement between Cuba and the United States would be senseless, said the Cuban leader, in reference to talks held last week in Havana between representatives of the two nations.
Besides, no one should expect from Cuba to negotiate the abovementioned topics in exchange for our internal affairs, which are absolutely sovereign, he added.
President Barack Obama could use with determination his broad executive powers to modify substantially the implementation of the blockade, which is in his hands to do even without a Congressional decision, noted the Cuban president.
Raul Castro said the two countries were able to advance in this recent negotiation because "we treat each other with respect, as equals. It will have to be this way in order to continue advancing," he stressed.
Regarding the talks, he said the results show that governments with profound differences can find a solution to problems through respectful dialogue and exchanges based on sovereign equality and reciprocity to benefit their respective nations.
"As I have repeatedly said Cuba and the United States must learn the art of civilized coexistence based on respecting differences between both governments in cooperation on issues of mutual interest that contribute to the solution of challenges faced by the hemisphere and the world," said Raul Castro.
But he made clear that no one should hope that for that Cuba will have to give up its ideas of independence and social justice, give up in any of our principles or yield an inch in the defense of national sovereignty.
We will not let anyone to provoke us, but never will we accept any intention to advise us or put pressure on our internal affairs, he said, and added that we have earn this sovereign right with great sacrifices and at the price of the greatest risks.
He wondered if diplomatic relations can be restored without resuming financial services to the Interest Section of Cuba and its Consular Office in Washington, which were cut off as a consequence of the US financial blockade.
Raul Castro also wondered how to explain the resumption of diplomatic relations without erasing Cuba from the list of nations that sponsor international terrorism.
He also wondered what would be from now on the behavior of US diplomats in Havana regarding the observation of standards established by international conventions for diplomatic and consular relations.
The current situation modestly opens a window of opportunity to the hemisphere to find new, superior forms of cooperation to benefit the Americas, he said, and added that this would contribute to solve urgent problems and pave new ways.