Cuba pleased by US progress, but says more is still needed

Cuba Wednesday welcomed the U.S. announcement of lifting all financial restrictions on its exports and allowing official flights linking the two countries, terming it "another step forward."

However, Cuba's official daily Granma said more was still needed, such as the lifting of the economic blockade.

"The new package of measures by the Obama administration are another step forward for both countries and confirm that it is possible to continue working for the lifting of the blockade which weight on Cuba," the daily said.

It also called for the U.S. to continue down this path, including allowing the U.S. dollar to be used for Cuba's international financial transactions," which would undoubtedly...impact our country's trade."

Similarly, Granma called for restrictions to be removed on the exports for state-owned Cuban companies, which are confined to a few specific services.

This is the third package, after those of January and September 2015, announced by the White House to alleviate the economic sanctions placed on Cuba since 1962. However, it cannot lift the blockade as this matter is reserved for the U.S. Congress, currently controlled by a Republican majority.

"The new package of measures shows that we will continue moving forward and weaken the structures that maintain the blockage. This may be the fastest way to promote debate within the U.S. Congress, and get it to finally listen to 191 nations and President Barack Obama in lifting the blockade," concluded the daily.
 (Xinhua -china.org.cn)
28/1/16