Statement by the Canadian Network on Cuba

Cuba and United States to Reopen Embassies – Another Historic Victory for Cuba’s Just and Principled Foreign Policy 

- Isaac Saney, Co-Chair & Spokesperson, Canadian Network On Cuba, July 2nd - 

The Canadian Network On Cuba welcomes the historic July 1st announcement by the governments of Cuba and the United States that both countries will reopen embassies and restore full diplomatic relations on July 20th.  Washington had unilaterally severed diplomatic relations between the countries in 1961.  The restoration of full diplomatic relations represents the resounding failure of Washington’s policy to isolate and destroy the Cuban Revolution. Indeed, it was Washington that has become isolated in world opinion.  This isolation is epitomized by the annual United Nations massive rejection of the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba, and by the return of Cuba at the overwhelmingly insistence of the nations of the Americas to the 2015 Summit of the Americas. 

       There should be no doubt that the re-establishment of full diplomatic relations is a resounding vindication of Cuba’s immense struggle to control its destiny, achieve authentic self-determination and national development! It is a vindication of the just, principled and dignified foreign policy and revolutionary path that the Cuban people embarked on since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution on January 1st, 1959! The Cuban people have not renounced or abandoned any of their revolutionary  principles!  This is not only a victory for Cuba but also a victory for all those who struggle to defend the inalienable and inviolable right of all peoples to self-determination and genuine independence! 

       Nevertheless, while we welcome the July 1st announcement, let us be clear: the restoration of full diplomatic relations does not equal the normalization of relations. Obama’s new policy does not mean that Washington has accepted the January 1st, 1959 verdict of the Cuban people. The struggle must continue to end the criminal and immoral economic blockade, Washington’s orchestrated ongoing campaign of subversion and to return the illegally occupied Guantanamo Naval Base to Cuba. 

  The necessity to continue this struggle is poignantly captured by the recent June 27th victory of Cuba solidarity activists, who successfully defied the blockade by crossing the  border between the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Quebec and the U.S. states of Maine and Washington to deliver material aid to the Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan. Since 1992, this annual caravan has been challenging the U.S. economic blockade against the island-nation.  

        The struggle is not finished. The CNC, therefore, calls on the Canadian people to join in the efforts of the Canada-Cuba solidarity movement to end the criminal U.S. economic blockade, the occupation of Guantanamo Naval Base  and the ongoing campaign to destabilize Cuba. 

For information, contact: 

Isaac Saney

CNC National Spokesperson

Email: isaney@hotmail.com

Statement by the Revolutionary Government of Cuba

After re-establishing diplomatic relations with the United States, the lifting of the blockade, among other aspects, will be indispensable for the normalization of relations.

On July 1st, 2015, the President of the Councils of State and of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, exchanged letters through which they confirmed their decision to re-establish diplomatic relations between the two countries and open permanent diplomatic missions in the respective capitals as from July 20, 2015.

On that same day, the official ceremony to open the Cuban Embassy in Washington will be held, which will be attended by a Cuban delegation presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and made up by outstanding representatives of the Cuban society.

As Cuba and the United States take this formal step, they ratified their intention to develop respectful and cooperative relations between both peoples and governments, based on the principles and purposes enshrined in the United Nations Charter and International Law, particularly the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.

The Government of Cuba has decided to re-establish diplomatic relations with the United States in the full exercise of its sovereignty and with an invariable commitment with its ideals of independence and social justice, and of solidarity with the just causes of the world, while reaffirming each and every one of the principles for which our people have shed their blood and run every risk under the leadership of the historical Leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of embassies completes the first stage of what will be a long and complex process towards the normalization of bilateral relations, in which it will be necessary to solve a number of issues derived from policies that were implemented in the past that are still in force and affect the Cuban nation and its people.

There could be no normal relations between Cuba and the United States as long as the economic, commercial and financial blockade continues to be fully implemented, causing damage and scarcities to the Cuban people. The blockade is the main obstacle to the development of our economy; it is a violation of International Law and affects the interests of all countries, including those of the United States.

In order to normalize relations, it will also be indispensable for the United States Government to return to Cuba the territory illegally occupied by the Guantánamo Naval Base; cease the radio and television broadcasts, which violate international regulations and are harmful to our sovereignty; stop the implementation of programs aimed at promoting internal subversion and destabilization and compensate the Cuban people for all the human and economic damages caused by the United States policies.

Havana, July 1st, 2015