Castro reacts to Obama’s move

In his address Saturday (Dec. 20) to the National Assembly of the People’s Power, Cuban President Raúl Castro Ruz made his first public comments to President Barack Obama’s decision to reestablish diplomatic and other relations with Cuba. Progreso Weekly has translated those excerpts from the speech addressing that subject and presents them below. The translator’s clarifications appear [in brackets]. The subtitles IN CAPS are Progreso Weekly’s.

[…]

We welcome President Obama’s decision to open a new chapter in the ties between the two nations and to introduce the most significant changes in American politics over the past 50 years.

Likewise, we recognize the willingness expressed by him to hold with the U.S. Congress a debate on lifting the blockade, as well as his desire for a better future for both peoples, our hemisphere and the world.

We share the idea that a new stage can be opened between the United States and Cuba, beginning with the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, which should be based on the Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations governing the conduct of diplomatic and consular missions and their officials.

We will join the high-level contacts between the two governments with a constructive spirit of respect and reciprocity, for the purpose of advancing toward the normalization of bilateral relations.

As I said last Dec. 17, an important step has been taken, but the essential factor remains unresolved, which is the cessation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, intensified in recent years, particularly in the field of financial transactions, with the imposition of huge and illegitimate fines against banks in different countries.

Our people must understand that, in the stated conditions, this will be a long and difficult struggle that will require that the international mobilization — and that of American society — will continue to demand the lifting of the blockade.

THE USE OF EXECUTIVE POWER

All data indicate that a majority of American citizens, and an even greater majority of Cuban Émigrés, favors the normalization of bilateral relations. In the Congress of the United States, which turned the provisions of the blockade into law, opposition to this policy also grows.

We hope that the President of the United States will utilize with determination his executive prerogatives to substantially modify the application of the blockade in those areas that do not require Congressional approval.

At the same time, we shall study the scope and manner of application of the positive executive measures announced by President Obama.

We are encouraged by his directive to review the unjustifiable inclusion of Cuba on the list of State Sponsors of International Terrorism. The facts show that Cuba has been the victim of numerous terrorist attacks, many of whose leaders today enjoy impunity. As we all know, they have cost us thousands of dead and maimed.

The pretexts wielded with that objective have absolutely no basis, as the whole planet knows. They only serve political interests as false arguments to justify the tightening of the blockade, especially in the financial sector.

From Cuba, there has never been organized, financed or executed a terrorist act against any individuals, interests or territory of the United States, nor will such be allowed. Every time we have learned any information about terrorist plots against the United States, we have informed its government, to which for years we have proposed establishing a cooperation agreement in this area.

RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE BETWEEN EQUALS

We have always been open to a respectful dialogue on the basis of equality to deal with the most diverse topics on a reciprocal basis, without casting shadow on our national independence and self-determination and — as Fidel pointed out — without renouncing a single principle of ours.

I reiterate that it is only possible to advance from mutual respect, which implies the observance of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, among them the sovereign equality of States, the equality of rights and free self-determination of the peoples, the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, refraining from resorting to threats or the use of force against the territorial integrity or independence of any state, and the obligation not to intervene in matters that are within the internal jurisdiction of each State, which implies that any form of interference or threat to the political, economic and cultural elements of a State constitutes a violation of international law.

Consistent with the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a region of peace, signed by the heads of State and Government on Jan. 29 in Havana, during the Summit of CELAC, every State has the inalienable right to choose its own political, economic, social and cultural system, without interference in any form from another State, which constitutes a principle of international law. This document was signed here in Havana by all the heads of State and Government of the continent, with the exception of the United States and Canada, which were not invited to it.

Between the governments of the United States and Cuba there are profound differences that include, among others, different conceptions of the exercise of national sovereignty, democracy, political models and international relations.

We reiterate our willingness to engage in a respectful and reciprocal dialogue on discrepancies. We have strong convictions and many concerns about what happens in the United States on the subjects of democracy and human rights and we agree to converse, on the stated basis, on any subject, on everything they may want to discuss involving [Cuba], but also the United States.

CUBA WON’T ABANDON ITS SOCIALIST COURSE

No one should expect that, to improve relations with the United States, Cuba will renounce the ideas for which it has struggled for more than a century, for which its people have shed much blood and have run the greatest risks.

It is necessary to understand that Cuba is a sovereign State whose people, in a free referendum to approve its Constitution, adopted its socialist course and political, economic and social system.

In the same way that we have never proposed that the United States should change its political system, we shall demand respect for ours.

Our two governments must take mutual steps to prevent and avoid acts that could affect progress in the bilateral relationship, based on respect for the laws and the constitutional order of the parties.

We do not ignore the virulent criticism that President Obama has had to endure because of [his] announcements by forces opposed to the normalization of relations with Cuba, including lawmakers of Cuban origin and ringleaders of piddling counterrevolutionary groups who resist losing the wherewithal that they have received through decades of confrontation between our countries. They will do everything possible to sabotage this process, without ruling out provocative actions of all kinds. On our part, a prudent, moderate and thoughtful but firm behavior shall prevail.

[Translator’s Note: At the word “wherewithal,” Castro raised his right hand and rubbed his index and thumb in the international gesture signifying money.]

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The unshakable faith in victory inculcated in us by Fidel will continue to lead our people in the defense and improvement of the work of his Revolution.

Happy new year!

We welcome the 57th New Year of the Cuban Revolution!

Thank you very much.