We Know That The Cuban State Has Essentially Continued The Same Repression

"We Know That The Cuban State Has Essentially Continued The Same
Repression" / 14ymedio
Posted on February 19, 2016

A senior US State Department official speaking with 14ymedio expands on
the reasons for the US president's visit to Cuba

14ymedio, 19 February 2016 — The United States government is aware that
its approach to the Cuban government has not yet resulted in an increase
in the rights of its citizens, but they trust that they are contributing
to a climate that is conducive to it.

"We are not going to say that we have noticed great advances on
questions of human rights. We know that the practice of detentions has
continued, The Cuban State has fundamentally maintained the same
repression," declared a senior State Department official speaking to
14ymedio shortly after the announcement of President Barack Obama's
visit to Cuba on March 21-22.

Among the few official advanced details from the White House it has been
announced that the president will travel to the island accompanied by
the first lady, Michelle Obama, as a first stop on another official
visit, in this case to Argentina. The president will meet with Raul
Castro and sectors of civil society among whom will be members of the
opposition, according to sources in the State Department. However,
initially ruled out is a meeting between Barack Obama and the former
Cuban president and leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro.

According to State Department sources, the dissidents who will meet
Barack Obama will come from all sectors, both those who have supported
the policy of his administration and those who have been critical of it.

"We want to change the point of view of Cubans and the international
community with respect to the policy of the United States and the Cuban
government, when they see the poverty, backwardness and lack of
opportunities and political liberties. Our goal is that they see with
absolute clarity that these problems are caused by the policies of the
Cuban government, not because of the United States nor the embargo,"
said the senior US official.

Other sources in the Obama administration provided some details about
the president's visit to Cuba. The president will give a speech to the
Cuban people in a place that has not yet been finalized and, in
addition, will meet with opponents, the self-employed and religious leaders.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry was receptive to Washington's announcement
and said that "the US president will be welcomed by the Government of
Cuba and its people, with the hospitality that characterizes us."

Josefina Vidal, Cuba's director general for the United States for the
Foreign Ministry believes that this will be "an opportunity for
President Obama to appreciate the Cuban reality and to continue
discussions about the possibilities of expanding the dialog and
bilateral cooperation on topics of mutual interest to both countries,"
according to statements reported this Friday in the official newspaper
Granma which, however, gave greater weight on its front page to the
current visit of Peruvian president Ollanta Humala.

"It will be interesting to see how the Cuban press will cover the
visit," said the US State Department official to 14ymedio. "It will be
difficult for them to conceal from their people the message President
Obama will bring."

Source: "We Know That The Cuban State Has Essentially Continued The Same
Repression" / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/we-know-that-the-cuban-state-has-essentially-continued-the-same-repression-14ymedio/