As Cuban Flag Rises in U.S. Capital, 'Antiquated Policies' Still in Place
Published on Monday, July 20, 2015
by Common Dreams
As Cuban Flag Rises in U.S. Capital, 'Antiquated Policies' Still in Place
The 'removal of the economic, commercial and financial blockade... the return of occupied territory in Guantánamo, and respect for the sovereignty of Cuba,' must come next, said Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez
by Nadia Prupis, staff writer
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The Cuban embassy officially re-opened in Washington, D.C. on July 20 as a sign of newly restored diplomatic relations between the two countries. But there is more work to be done, say activists. (Photo: Reuters)
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The Cuban embassy on Monday officially opened in Washington, D.C., exciting the many who support restoring diplomatic relations with the Caribbean nation for the first time in 54 years.
But another raised flag in the U.S. capitol should not signify the end of the American effort to reestablish official ties with the country, Cuban officials and human rights activists said.
Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez, who visited the U.S. capital for the first time on Monday for the flag-raising ceremony, said the U.S. must now lift its comprehensive trade embargo against the Caribbean nation and return the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay to the Cuban people.
"The historic events we are living today will only make sense with the removal of the economic, commercial and financial blockade, which causes so much deprivation and damage to our people, the return of occupied territory in Guantánamo, and respect for the sovereignty of Cuba," Rodriguez said.
More:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/20/cuban-flag-rises-us-capital-antiquated-policies-still-place