OFFICIAL REOPENING OF US EMBASSY IN CUBA BY JOHN KERRY AND BRUNO RODRIGUEZ

USPA NEWS - Cuba and US restore their diplomatic relations by reopening official the US embassy in Havana, Cuba. “That is why we are encouraged that travel from the United States to Cuba has already increased by 35 percent since January and is continuing to go up.

US SECRETARY INSISTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DEMOCRACY AND ITS RULES PARTICULARLY ABOUT RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEAR TO THE USA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “In the United States, that means recognising that U.S. policy is not the anvil on which Cuba´s future will be forged. Decades of good intentions aside, the policies of the past have not led to a democratic transition in Cuba. It would be equally unrealistic to expect normalising relations to have, in a short term, a transformational impact. After all, Cuba´s future is for Cubans to shape. Responsibility for the nature and quality of governance and accountability rests, as it should, not with any outside entity; but solely within the citizens of this country.“ Said Kerry “But the leaders in Havana ““ and the Cuban people ““ should also know that the United States will always remain a champion of democratic principles and reforms. Like many other governments in and outside this hemisphere, we will continue to urge the Cuban Government to fulfil its obligations under the UN and inter-American human rights covenants ““ obligations shared by the United States and every other country in the Americas.“ John Kerry explained that the “establishment of normal diplomatic relations is not something that one government does as a favour to another“. He insists on the importance for the citizens of both that will benefit. This means symbolically but not only “reopening of our embassies is important on two levels: People-to-people and government-to-government.First, we believe it´s helpful for the people of our nations to learn more about each other, to meet each other. “ Said Kerry.

US TRAVEL TO CUBA INCREASED BY 35% SINCE JANUARY------------------------------------------------------- On the above photo see: Secretary Kerry and Cuba Foreign Minister Rodriguez tour the Monumento Nacional, a pavilion of memorabilia at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. The travel from the USA to Cuba has been encouraged by the Obama´s administration, “That is why we are encouraged that travel from the United States to Cuba has already increased by 35 percent since January and is continuing to go up. We are encouraged that more and more U.S. companies are exploring commercial ventures here that would create opportunities for Cuba´s own rising number of entrepreneurs, and we are encouraged that U.S. firms are interested in helping Cuba expand its telecommunications and internet links, and that the government here recently pledged to create dozens of new and more affordable Wi-Fi hotspots. We also want to acknowledge the special role that the Cuban American community is playing in establishing a new relationship between our countries. And in fact, we have with us this morning representatives from that community, some of whom were born here and others who were born in the United States. With their strong ties of culture and family, they can contribute much to the spirit of bilateral cooperation and progress that we are seeking to create, just as they have contributed much to their communities in their adopted land.' declared US Secretary John Kerry.

On the above photo see : While on a walk through Plaza San Francisco in Havana, Cuba, Secretary Kerry stops to look at humidors being sold by a street vendor.USCuba JOHN KERRY FUTRES MENTIONED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CUBA AND THE USA AND OPPORTUNITIES AFTER NORMALISATION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The restoration of diplomatic ties will also make it easier for our governments to engage. After all, we are neighbours, and neighbours will always have much to discuss in such areas as civil aviation, migration policy, disaster preparedness, protecting marine environment, global climate change, and other tougher and more complicated issues. Having normal relations makes it easier for us to talk, and talk can deepen understanding even when we know full well we will not see eye to eye on everything. We are all aware that notwithstanding President Obama´s new policy, the overall U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba remains in place and can only be lifted by congressional action ““ a step that we strongly favour. For now ““ (applause). For now, the President has taken steps to ease restrictions on remittances, on exports and imports to help Cuban private entrepreneurs, on telecommunications, on family travel, but we want to go further. The goal of all of these changes is to help Cubans connect to the world and to improve their lives. And just as we are doing our part, we urge the Cuban Government to make it less difficult for their citizens to start businesses, to engage in trade, access information online. The embargo has always been something of a two-way street ““ both sides need to remove restrictions that have been holding Cubans back.

IT IS TIME NOW TO REACH OUT TO ONE ANOTHER SAID KERRY TO THE US AND CUBAN AUDIENCE----------- We have begun to move down that path without any illusions about how difficult it may be. But we are each confident in our intentions, confident in the contacts that we have made, and pleased with the friendships that we have begun to forge. And we are certain that the time is now to reach out to one another, as two peoples who are no longer enemies or rivals, but neighbours ““ time to unfurl our flags, raise them up, and let the world know that we wish each other well. Estamos seguros de que este es el momento de acercarnos: dos pueblos ya no enemigos ni rivales, sino vecinos. Es el momento de desplegar nuestras banderas, enarbolarlas y hacerle saber al resto del mundo que nos deseamos lo mejor los unos a los otros. It is with that healing mission in mind that I turn now to Larry Morris, Jim Tracy, and Mike East. Fifty-four years ago, you gentlemen promised to return to Havana and hoist the flag over the United States Embassy that you lowered on that January day long ago. Today, I invite you on behalf of President Obama and the American people to fulfil that pledge by presenting the Stars and Stripes to be raised by members of our current military detachment. Larry, Jim, and Mike, this is your cue to deliver on words that would make any diplomat proud, just as they would any member of the United States Marine Corps: Promise made, promise kept. Thank you.“ Concluded John Kerry On the photo see : A crowd of Cubans braved the midday sun to watch the U.S. flag go up outside the newly re-opened American Embassy in Havana, Cuba, USCuba. Official source US department of State.