President Obama is meeting today with the president of Cuba, Raul Castro. Here’s a picture of the meeting, via ABC’s Jon Williams:
Last time a US leader sat with a #Castro, Nixon met Fidel as VP. 10 Presidents later, Obama sits with Raúl. #Cuba pic.twitter.com/rsJ8RJulH6
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) April 11, 2015
Details via the White House pool report:
President Obama spoke first:
“This is obviously an historic meeting.” The history between the United States and Cuba is complicated, he said. After 50 years of policy that had not worked “it was time for us to try something new.”
”We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future.”
He said the majority of Americans and Cubans have responded positively to the policy change.
He said obviously there are going to be deep and significant differences between the US and Cuba. He said the US will speak out for democracy and human rights, and Cuba will lift up concerns about US policy as well as he said Mr. Castro did during his speech at the summit earlier in thew day (Mr. Castro smiled)
We can disagree with a spirit of respect.
“Over time it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries.”
Immediate tasks:
-Opening embassies in Washington and Havana ….
After Mr. Obama spoke, he and Mr. Castro stood and shook hands.
Mr. Castro spoke Spanish. His remarks as translated through his interpreter:
He said he agrees with everything Mr. Obama said.
He said they can have differences “with respect of the ideas of the others”
“We are willing to discuss everything but we need to be patient, very patient.”
“We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow.”
He noted the members of the US and Cuban delegations and said they better listen to their leaders. Mr. Obama laughed.
They stood again and shook hands. Mr. Obama said “thank you” to the pool and we were ushered out.
“This is obviously an historic meeting.” The history between the United States and Cuba is complicated, he said. After 50 years of policy that had not worked “it was time for us to try something new.”
”We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future.”
He said the majority of Americans and Cubans have responded positively to the policy change.
He said obviously there are going to be deep and significant differences between the US and Cuba. He said the US will speak out for democracy and human rights, and Cuba will lift up concerns about US policy as well as he said Mr. Castro did during his speech at the summit earlier in thew day (Mr. Castro smiled)
We can disagree with a spirit of respect.
“Over time it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries.”
Immediate tasks:
-Opening embassies in Washington and Havana ….
After Mr. Obama spoke, he and Mr. Castro stood and shook hands.
Mr. Castro spoke Spanish. His remarks as translated through his interpreter:
He said he agrees with everything Mr. Obama said.
He said they can have differences “with respect of the ideas of the others”
“We are willing to discuss everything but we need to be patient, very patient.”
“We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow.”
He noted the members of the US and Cuban delegations and said they better listen to their leaders. Mr. Obama laughed.
They stood again and shook hands. Mr. Obama said “thank you” to the pool and we were ushered out.
