Castro makes first comment on normalising ties with US

Havana, Jan 27 (IANS/TASS) Former Cuban president Fidel Castro has broken his silence for the first time on normalising ties with the US.

In a letter to students published by main national daily La Granma, Castro, 88, says he doesn't trust US policies and he has not exchanged a single word with the Americans, although this does not mean at all a rejection of a peaceful resolution of military conflicts or removing military threats.

He indicates, however, that defence of peace is everyone's duty.

The Cubans will always defend cooperation and friendship among all the peoples in the world and even with this countr''s political opponents, Castro says.

He says the steps taken by his younger brother Raul Castro, who is Cub''s President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers, were appropriate and fell in line with the occupational powers granted by the National Assembly and the ruling Communist Party of Cuba.

The elder Castro indicates that the ominous threats looming over humankind today should give way to norms compatible with the notion of human dignity.

On Dec 17, 2014, US President Barack Obama made public the plans to open a new chapter in relations with Cuba. He admitted that the policy of isolation of Cuba for more than five decades had not produced the desired results and he said the trade embargo against Havana would be mitigated.

A full abolition of sanctions requires Congressional approval.

On the same day, Raul Castro confirmed that Cuba and the US had agreed to resume diplomatic relations. He stressed Havan''s abidance by""a respectful dialogue based on the principle of sovereign equalit"".

He called on Washington to lift the trade and economic blockade, which Cuba has lived under since 1961.

By Tuesday, US financial institutions have received the right to open corresponding bank accounts in Cuba and to work with Cuban companies located outside of the island.

Also, trips to Cuba have been made easier for some categories of US citizens and workers of certain organisations.

Opportunities for Cuban-US collaboration in telecommunications and trade have expanded as well.

--IANS/TASS

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