US President Barack Obama pushed Cuba to improve human rights during his historic visit to the Communist-led island on Monday, publicly sparring with President Raul Castro who showed flashes of anger and hit back at the US for its “double standards”.
Obama praised Castro for openly discussing their differences but he said a “full flowering” of the relationship would happen only with progress on the issue of rights.
In the absence of that, I think it will continue to be a very powerful irritant. America believes in democracy. We believe that freedom of speech and freedom of assembly and freedom of religion are not just American values but are universal values.Barack Obama
Both men’s remarks were broadcast live on Cuban state television from Cuba’s Palace of the Revolution in a room draped with the Stars and Stripes and the Cuban flag.
Castro countered that no country meets all international rights but appeared uncomfortable as he made the rare step of taking questions from journalists in a country where the media is state controlled.
Obama’s ease with reporters’ questions contrasted with Castro’s manner. The tension was palpable as Castro declined to call on a slew of Cuban journalists who yearned for the rare chance to ask him questions.
Obama who is also the first US president to visit Cuba in 88 years, had agreed in 2014 to improve relations with the former Cold War foe. But he is under pressure at home to push Castro’s government to allow political dissent and to further open its Soviet-style economy.
He said the two sides would hold talks on human rights in Havana later this year.
Opponents say Obama has given away too much as he improves ties, with too little from Castro in return. The leading Republican candidate for the 8 November presidential election, Donald Trump, said on Monday he would likely continue to normalise ties with Cuba if elected.
Raul Castro – an army general who became president when his ailing older brother Fidel Castro retired in 2008 – had never before taken questions from foreign reporters on live Cuban television. He was clearly irritated when asked about political prisoners in Cuba, demanding the reporter produce a list of those in jail.
Fumbling with a headset providing translation, the 84-year-old leader scolded reporters when he was asked again about rights, saying he agreed to only take one question.
Obama playfully encouraged him to address a second but Castro seemed reluctant as he obliged.
Tell me now. What political prisoners? Give me a name, or the names. And if there are these political prisoners they will be free before nightfall...How many countries comply with all 61 human rights? Do you know? I do. None. None.Raul Castro
Cuba says it has no political prisoners and that the dozens listed by dissident groups are instead common criminals.
Castro also said that Cuba has a strong record on rights such as health, access to education and women’s equality. His government criticizes the United States on racism, police violence and the use of torture at the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba.
In another awkward moment, as the news conference ended, Castro lifted Obama’s arm in the air as if to form a victory salute. Obama resisted, letting his hand hang limp rather than form a fist.
As part of the diplomatic breakthrough in 2014, Cuba released 53 prisoners that the US government considered political prisoners.
But the dissident Cuban Commission of Human Rights and National Reconciliation says that 79 are still behind bars, among about the 40 held for peaceful political protest.
Castro offered Cuba‘s recipe for better relations, saying the United States needs to lift its 54-year-old trade embargo on the island and hand back the Guantanamo Bay base to Cuba.
Obama did not respond to the demand on Guantanamo Bay but said he was optimistic about the elimination of sanctions against Cuba.
The embargo’s going to end. When, I can’t be entirely sure.Barack Obama
Obama’s efforts to encourage Congress to rescind the embargo has been rejected by the Republican leadership. Thwarted, Obama has instead used executive authority to loosen restrictions on trade and travel.
Obama said direct flights from the United States would start this year. He said regular tourism to Cuba could happen “very soon,” in comments to US network ABC.
A clutch of deals timed to coincide with the visit appeared to show the strategy was bearing commercial fruit, notably US cruise company Carnival’s announcement on Monday that it would sail the first ship from the United States to Cuba. This will be the first in more than 50 years, in a deal that will bring in thousands of US tourists at a time.
About a dozen major US brands have stuck deals or are in talks with Cuba. Ahead of the meeting with Castro, Obama said Google would provide more Wi-Fi and broadband access on the island. Google said later its efforts were in the “early stages.”
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