Department of State: US 'Very Open' To Relationship With Cuba

latintimes

Edward Alex Lee (C), the U.S acting deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs addresses the media next to John Caulfield (L), Chief of Mission of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana and Edward Ramotowski, Director of the Office of Public and Diplomatic Liaison for Visa Services during a news conference in Havana January 10, 2014. Reuters

By Oscar Lopez
A top American official has stated that the United States is "very open" to a new and improved relationship with Cuba. Edward Alexander Lee, acting deputy assistant to secretary of State for Western Hemispheree affairs, visited Havana for talks with Cuban officials and stated that the meetings were “very constructive and have led to some positive outcomes,” however he declined to provide further details. The talks come after a historic handshake between President Obama and Raul Castro suggested a new thawing in relations between both nations. 

U.S.-Cuba relations were reinitiated last July after the relationship broke down in 2011. "Despite our historically difficult relationship...we have been able to speak to each other in a respectful and thoughtful manner," said Lee at a news conference in Havana. However, he emphasized that such changes would only come with a "fundamental change" in the Cuban government to allow greater political freedom to its people. The talks emerged from a desire to find a safe legal alternative for Cubans seeking to reach the US without resorting to dangerous boat travel.

Related: US TALKS MIGRATION POLICY IN HAVANA

"We want to have that opening reflect - from the Cuban side - a respect for Cubans to express themselves freely," explained Mr. Lee. "To be able to petition their government with grievances without the danger of arrest." Mr. Lee also visited Alan Gross, a US citizen sentenced to 15 years in prison for smuggling illegal satellite equipment into the country. He stated that he was "deeply concerned" for Mr. Gross and expressed his wish that the Cuban government release the prisoner.