U.S. to Start Talks with Cuba to Normalize Full Diplomatic Relations, Open Embassy

Steps to restore ties with Cuba are certain to meet resistance by some groups, particularly the Cuban community in South Florida that remain staunchly opposed to the communist leadership in Havana

Brian Murphy reports: The United States and Cuba will begin talks to normalize relations, including opening an embassy in Havana and putting to rest one most enduring Cold War standoffs, a U.S. official said Wednesday.

The landmark initiatives appeared to be set in motion by a surprise prisoner swap that freed American contractor Alan Gross after five years in custody in Cuba. In exchange, the United States would release three Cubans jailed for espionage, the Associated Press reported.

President Obama was expected to make a statement on Cuba at noon. At the same time, Cuban President Raul Castro was scheduled to address his nation about relations with the United States, Cuban state television reported.

#Obama is ‘worst negotiator’ as president since Jimmy Carter –http://t.co/CtS5hPPxFG @dsherfinski pic.twitter.com/h4Ls971UMB

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 17, 2014

Possible moves to close the rifts would mark a significant moment in Western Hemisphere politics.

The United State has maintain various sanctions against Cuba for more than five decades and enmity between Washington and Havana has played a role in affairs across the world — from snubs against the United States from Cuba’s allies in Latin America to the hero’s welcome given to then-President Fidel Castro during a visit to Tehran in 2001.

“President Obama’s actions have vindicated the brutal behavior of the Cuban government.”

— Senator Marco Rubio

At the moment, the United States and Cuba do not have full diplomatic relations, but allow interest sections to handle outreach.

The U.S. official said Gross departed Cuba on a U.S. government plane earlier Wednesday. He was released on humanitarian grounds by the Cuban government at the request of the United States, the official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

There was no immediate comment from the White House.

Gross, 65, was detained in December 2009 while setting up illegal Internet access as a subcontractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development. It was his fifth trip to Cuba to work with Jewish communities on setting up Internet access that bypassed local censorship.

He was later sentenced to 15 years in prison for espionage. Cuba considers USAID’s programs illegal attempts by the U.S. to undermine its government.

“We’re like screaming and jumping up and down,” Gross’s sister, Bonnie Rubinstein, told the AP from her home in Texas.

Three lawmakers — Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) — left Washington this morning aboard a flight that is returning to the Washington area with Alan Gross on board, according to congressional aides familiar with the plans….(read more)

Washington Post

Adam Goldman, Karen DeYoung and Ed O’Keefe contributed to this report.

Related articles

• Despite beheadings, Americans are still overwhelmingly against paying ransoms to terrorists (washingtonpost.com)
• AP sources: US, Cuba seek to normalize relations (seattletimes.com)
• Squeeze Castro Inc. Capone style with U.S. Treasury Department (babalublog.com)
• American contractor Alan Gross freed after 5 years in Cuban prison (upi.com)
• The Yanquis, the Rappers, and the Communist Regime (reason.com)
• Obama Approves Cuba Prisoner Swap, Wants to Normalize Relations (westernfreepress.com)