Cuban president calls for US embargo relief to normalize diplomatic ties

Cuban President Raul Castro Tuesday asked the United States to lift its economic sanctions against Cuba and return the territory occupied by the US naval base in Guantanamo before normalizing bilateral diplomatic ties.

"We have reiterated to the US government that before normalizing the bilateral relations, the blockade must be lifted and the territory illegally occupied by the naval base in Guantanamo must be returned," said Castro.

"The right of every state to choose the desired economic, social and political system must be respected without interference" to advance the normalization of diplomatic ties, the Cuban leader said.

"We will never accept conditions hurting the sovereignty of our mother land," Castro said at the sixth regular session of the Eighth Legislature of Cuban Parliament, stressing that Cuba will never abandon its independence and principles.

"What is essential now is that President Barack Obama uses with determination his wide executive powers to modify the applying of the blockade, which will give sense to what has been agreed and allow solid progress," he added.

Castro stressed that the international community has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the US economic blockade in several world forums, especially the UN General Assembly, and also mentioned the US programs and legislation, which encouraged illegal migrations.

"The policy of wet feet-dry feet, the Parole program stimulating the defection of Cuban doctors, and the Cuban Adjustment Act continue to be the main stimulus for the irregular migration from Cuba to the United States," he said.

• Cuba's official Radio Reloj said that over 44,000 Cubans had crossed illegally through Mexico to the United States this year. 

• Castro also referred to the current migratory crisis in Costa Rica, where over 8,000 Cubans wishing to reach the United States are stranded.

"Our government has been in contact with the local government since the beginning of the crisis, in search of a rapid and adequate solution," he said, adding that the citizens left Cuba in a legal way, yet later became victims of traffickers.

Castro highlighted Cuba's commitment to legal and safe migration, reiterating its citizens' rights to travel abroad, as well as those of foreigners to immigrate and return to their countries, according to the migratory legislation.
  Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
30/12/15
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