Every available data indicates that the majority of US citizens and an even broader majority of Cuban emigres favor the normalization of bilateral relations. In the US Congress, which codified the blockade provisions into law, there is also increasing opposition to that policy.
We hope the American President will resolutely use his executive prerogatives to substantially modify the blockade in those areas in which Congressional approval is not required.
At the same time, we will analyze the extent of the positive executive measures announced by President Obama and their implementation.
The instructions he has given to review Cuba's unjustifiable inclusion in the List of States that Sponsor International Terrorism is encouraging. Cuba has been a victim of multiple terrorist attacks, many of whose perpetrators have so far enjoyed impunity. As we all know these attacks have taken a toll on thousands of human lives and maimed persons.
The pretexts used to launch those attacks are absolutely groundless, as is known by the entire planet. Under the false pretense of justifying the tightening of the blockade, they only serve political interests, particularly in the financial sector.
Never has any terrorist action against any US citizen, interest or territory been organized, financed or perpetrated from Cuba; nor will that ever be permitted. Every time we have received any information about terrorist plans against the United States we have relayed that information to the US Government, to which for several years now we have been suggesting the establishment of a cooperation agreement in that area.
We have always been ready to establish a dialogue on an equal footing, to discuss a wide range of issues on the basis of reciprocity and without casting a shadow on our national independence and self-determination and, as Fidel has pointed out, without renouncing any of our principles.
I reiterate that it will only be possible to move forward based on mutual respect, involving the observance of the principles of International Law and the UN Charter, including the sovereign equality of States, peoples' equal rights and self determination, the peaceful settlement of international controversies, refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or independence of any State, and the obligation not to intervene in matters which are within the domestic jurisdiction of States, meaning that any form of interference or threat to the political, economic and cultural elements of any given State is considered a violation of International Law.
In accordance with the proclamation of the Latin American and Caribbean region as a Zone of Peace, signed by the Heads of State and Government on January 29 this year in Havana in the context of the CELAC Summit, all States have the inalienable right to choose their own political, economic, social and cultural system, without any interference whatsoever from another State, which is a principle of International Law. That document was signed here in Havana by all Heads of State and Government of this continent, with the exception of the United States and Canada, which were not invited to attend.
Between the governments of the United States and Cuba there are profound differences which include, among others, different views about the exercise of national sovereignty, democracy, political models and international relations.
We reiterate our willingness to establish a respectful dialogue on our differences based on reciprocity. We have firm convictions and many concerns about what is happening in the United States in terms of democracy and human rights, and we would agree to discussions based on the principles referred to previously, about any issue, and about anything the US might be willing to discuss, about the situation here Cuba but also about the situation in the United States.
No one should expect Cuba to renounce the ideas for which it has struggled for more than a century, and for which its people have shed much blood and run the biggest risks in order to improve its relations with the United States.
It is necessary to understand that Cuba is a sovereign State whose people, through a free referendum held to approve the Constitution, chose a socialist path as well as its political, economic and social system (APPLAUSE).
We will demand respect for our system in the same way that we have never intended the United States to change its political system.
Both governments should take mutual steps to avoid any action that might affect the progress achieved in bilateral relations, based on the observance of the law and the constitutional order of both Parties.
We do not ignore the vicious criticisms that President Obama has had to put up with as a result of the already mentioned announcements, by some forces that are opposed to the normalization of relations with Cuba, including some lawmakers of Cuban descent and ringleaders of counterrevolutionary groups who refuse to lose the means of support granted to them by several decades of conflict between our two countries. They will do whatever it takes to sabotage this process. We should not rule out the perpetration of provocations of every sort. On our part, a prudent, moderate and reflexive --though firm- behavior shall prevail.
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