Will Obama and Castro agree on move to the USA?
May 27 2009 by Bryan Palmer
The US wants to support Cubans
The US is seeking talks with Cuba to discuss the possibility of letting Cubans apply to move to the US as immigrants.
Daria Jordon, the spokesperson for the US State Department, said at the end of last week that it was seeking dialogue with Cuba on the issue, in order to “ensure that we are doing all we can to support the Cuban people in fulfilling their desire to live in freedom.”
Similar talks were postponed in 2003 after Cuba refused to grant exit permits to those who had been awarded a US visa. However, since President Obama’s inauguration, he has lifted restrictions on movement and made it easier for Cubans to send money, medicines and food home.
Although the Cubans have not yet commented on these latest measures, President Obama has made it clear he wants open dialogue about the issue. However, he says he will only consider a lifting of the embargo against the country, in place since 1962, once Cuba has made moves to reinstate democratic elections.
Raul Castro, Cuba's President, has previously said that he is fully prepared to discuss the US immigration issue with the Obama administration, although not if there are 'preconditions' to the negotiations.
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