Interviews from Havana – Jose Arboleya on US-Cuba relations

In today’s edition, host Cristina Escobar asks former diplomat, analyst and writer Jose Arboleya about the recent meeting of presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama at the Summit of the Americas. He responds that it was extremely important because it was the first time the presidents of the two countries have met since 1959, and thus marks a new moment in the relations. Yet in view of the history of the countries, it would be overly optimistic to expect a total normalization of relations, says Arboleya. In fact, the United States doesn’t have “normal” relations with any country in the world, not even with its own allies. What is ending is a scenario of open confrontation and what is beginning is a more civilized way of dealing with each other through negotiations. Many contradictions may be impossible to resolve, he noted, but it is important that a United States president has recognized that his country’s policy towards Cuba was wrong, and it is important that a small country has shown the world that it is possible to resist the attacks of the strongest world power for over half a century. In the new scenario Cuba will also have to make many changes in the way it does things as it continues its battle for independence and sovereignty, says the analyst. He also comments on changes in the Cuban population in the United States, the right-wing Cuban political machine in that country, what might be expected from a United States embassy in Cuba in view of the role it has played in so many other countries, and how to deal with its presence. teleSUR