December
17, 2014
Fellow
countrymen,
Since
my election as President of the State Council and Council of Ministers I have
reiterated in many occasions our willingness to hold a respectful dialogue with
the United States on the basis of sovereign equality, in order to deal
reciprocally with a wide variety of topics without detriment to the national
Independence and self-determination of our people.
This
stance was conveyed to the US Government both publicly and privately by Comrade
Fidel on several occasions during our long standing struggle, stating the
willingness to discuss and solve our differences without renouncing any of our
principles.
The
heroic Cuban people, in the wake of serious dangers, aggressions, adversities
and sacrifices has proven to be faithful and will continue to be faithful to our
ideals of independence and social justice. Strongly united throughout these 56
years of Revolution, we have kept our unswerving loyalty to those who died in
defense of our principles since the beginning of our independence wars in
1868.
Today,
despite the difficulties, we have embarked on the task of updating our economic
model in order to build a prosperous and sustainable
Socialism.
As
a result of a dialogue at the highest level, which included a phone conversation
I had yesterday with President Obama, we have been able to make headway in the
solution of some topics of mutual interest for both
nations.
As
Fidel promised on June 2001,when he said: “They shall return!” Gerardo, Ramon,
and Antonio have arrived today to our homeland.
The
enormous joy of their families and of all our people, who have relentlessly
fought for this goal, is shared by hundreds of solidarity committees and groups,
governments, parliaments, organizations, institutions, and personalities, who
for the last sixteen years have made tireless efforts demanding their release.
We convey our deepest gratitude and commitment to all of
them.
President
Obama’s decision deserves the respect and acknowledgement of our
people.
I
wish to thank and acknowledge the support of the Vatican, most particularly the
support of Pope Francisco in the efforts for improving relations between Cuba
and the United States. I also want to thank the Government of Canada for
facilitating the high-level dialogue between the two
countries.
In
turn, we have decided to release and send back to the United States a spy of
Cuban origin who was working for that nation.
On
the other hand, and for humanitarian reasons, today we have also sent the
American citizen Alan Gross back to his country.
Unilaterally,
as has always been our practice, and in strict compliance with the provisions of
our legal system, the concerned prisoners have received legal benefits,
including the release of those persons that the Government of the United States
had conveyed their interest in.
We
have also agreed to renew diplomatic relations.
This
in no way means that the heart of the matter has been solved. The economic,
commercial, and financial blockade, which causes enormous human and economic
damages to our country, must cease.
Though
the blockade has been codified into law, the President of the United States has
the executive authority to modify its implementation.
We
propose to the Government of the United States the adoption of mutual steps to
improve the bilateral atmosphere and advance towards normalization of relations
between our two countries, based on the principles of International Law and the
United Nations Charter.
Cuba
reiterates its willingness to cooperate in multilateral bodies, such as the
United Nations.
While
acknowledging our profound differences, particularly on issues related to
national sovereignty, democracy, human rights and foreign policy, I reaffirm our
willingness to dialogue on all these issues.
I
call upon the Government of the United States to remove the obstacles hindering
or restricting ties between peoples, families, and citizens of both countries,
particularly restrictions on travelling, direct post services, and
telecommunications.
The
progress made in our exchanges proves that it is possible to find solutions to
many problems.
As
we have reiterated, we must learn the art of coexisting with our differences in
a civilized manner.
We
will continue talking about these important issues at a later
date
Thank
you.
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