Luiz 4,253 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2014/12/17/alan-gross-released-from-cuban-prison.html?via=twitter_page The Associated Press reports American officials say the United States will normalize full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana, ending a half-century standoff that began at the height of the Cold War. "We are charting a new course toward Cuba," a senior administration official told CNN. "The President understood the time was right to attempt a new approach, both because of the beginnings of changes in Cuba and because of the impediment this was causing for our regional policy." The news follows Cuba's release of U.S. citizen Alan Gross from prison Wednesday after five years in captivity. The U.S. released three alleged Cuban spies in return. The exchange is a result of a year of secret talks between the U.S. and Cuba. Raul Castro and President Obama will both speak, separately, around noon Eastern time. ABC News reports the White House indicates Obama and Castro are prepared to talk about everything from lifting travel restrictions to ending the U.S. embargo of Cuba that began under Dwight D. Eisenhower Pope Francis and the Vatican played a significant role in reopening diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S. The Vatican not only hosted in-person meetings between Cuban and U.S. officials, but actively played a role in the discussions, according to senior Obama administration officials. The meeting to finalize the reopening of relations was also held at the Vatican this past fall. The Vatican sent a personal letter to President Obama regarding Cuban relations. "We haven't received communications from the Pope of this nature," said a senior adminstration official. "That gave us greater impetus and momentum." I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonsterOfSpain 8,331 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 That's nice, I think Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didymus 34,380 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Pope Francis and the Vatican ha surprising impact :air: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Wonka 4 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 They better not even try and touch Assata Shakur. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALX 170 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 that's great news! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMROD 117,202 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Papam Francis, you love him, you hated him. Sle (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ✧*:･ﾟ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵗᵒʷᵃʳᵈ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ (*´艸｀*) ♡♡♡ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morphine Prince 109,695 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 As a commentator said on TV, this really won't change anything. Once US companies start to invest in Cuba, if there's any form of ideas to change Cuba and make it democratic, these companies will try to halt that because they benefit from the status quo. Same thing happened in Hong Kong and Ukraine. US companies called lawmakers urging them to not take action because it benefited them. This embassy is just a first step towards an economic relationship between the two nations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 680 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I guess Canadians who vacation there won't have the place to themselves anymore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Economy 52,880 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I guess Canadians who vacation there won't have the place to themselves anymore.there will be more competion There goes all inclusive 1 week vacations including flights for under $900 :MANiCURE: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DontDoubtDavid 1,196 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 This is terrible... Total slap in the face to those who had to leave their country due to communism. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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