Obama ‘Pleased’ Cuba At Summit Of The Americas For First Time
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Official White House Photo by Pete Souza(PANAMA CITY) — Just hours before he could have his first interaction with Cuban leader Raul Castro, President Obama said he was “pleased” Cuba is participating in the Summit of the Americas for the first time.
“I am proud to be with you at this first-ever official gathering of civil society leaders at the Summit of the Americas,” president Obama said at a Civil Society Forum in Panama City Friday. “And I’m pleased to have Cuba represented with us at this summit for the very first time.”
President Obama’s comments came at the Civil Society Forum, which brought together dissidents and supporters of the Cuban government. Speaking of the United States’ renewed relationship with Cuba, President Obama said the two countries will disagree from time to time, but noted the U.S. will be willing to speak out against Cuba if its actions do not correspond with the United States’ “set of universal values.”
“As the United States begins a new chapter in our relationship with Cuba, we hope it will create an environment that improves the lives of the Cuban people – not because it’s imposed by us, the United States, but through the talent and ingenuity and aspirations, and the conversation among Cubans from all walks of life so they can decide what the best course is for their prosperity,” the president said.
“As we move toward the process of normalization, we’ll have our differences, government to government, with Cuba on many issues — just as we differ at times with other nations within the Americas; just as we differ with our closest allies. There’s nothing wrong with that,” he said.
“When we do speak out, we’re going to do so because the United States of America does believe, and will always stand for, a certain set of universal values. And when we do partner with civil society, it’s because we believe our relationship should be with governments and with the peoples that they represent.”
The president did not comment on the clashes between Cuban dissidents and the supporters of the Cuban government in the days leading up to the summit.
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