Statement by Press Secretary Josh Earnest
The United States welcomes
today’s historic opening of the Embassy of the United States of America in
Havana, Cuba, and the opening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Today’s openings are the
result of respectful dialogue between the United States and the Republic of
Cuba following the December 17 announcements by President Obama and President
Raul Castro to reestablish diplomatic relations between our two nations.
This is yet another demonstration that we don’t have to be imprisoned by the
past. We look forward to working collaboratively to normalize relations with
the Cuban government and people after more than half a century of
discord. Beginning today, our diplomats in Havana will have the ability
to engage more broadly across the island of Cuba, with the Cuban government,
civil society and ordinary Cubans. We look forward to collaborating with the
Cuban government on issues of common interest, including counterterrorism and
disaster response. And we are confident that the best way to advance
universal values like freedom of speech and assembly is through more engagement
with the Cuban people.
Assistant Secretary of State
Roberta Jacobson is leading the State Department delegation at the opening
ceremony at the Cuban Embassy today. The White House will be represented
by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Benjamin J.
Rhodes and National Security Council Senior Director for Western Hemisphere
Affairs Mark Feierstein.
Source: The White House Press
Office
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