Cuba president notes tone of recent relations with U.S.

[Judi Lynn]

Cuba president notes tone of recent relations with U.S.
ReutersBy Marc Frank | Reuters – 3 hours ago.

By Marc Frank

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban President Raul Castro on Saturday called on the United States to establish civilized relations with his country, recognizing a new tone in bilateral talks on secondary issues while reiterating that the country's political and economic system were non-negotiable.

The United States and Cuba have appeared more positive of late as talks around immigration, postal services, disaster prevention and other security issues have taken place, with officials from both countries cautiously welcoming each other's pragmatism and seriousness in interviews with Reuters.

Castro, closing a year-end meeting of the parliament, said that recently the two countries, bitter foes for more than half a century, had been able "to hold conversations on topics of mutual interest."

"We think we can resolve other matters of interest," he said, without elaborating.

Castro said that "a civilized relationship between both countries" was something "our people and the immense majority of U.S. citizens and Cuban immigrants desire."

More:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/cuba-president-notes-tone-recent-relations-u-002542849.html#8X3nTx7

[Judi Lynn]

1. Agence France-Presse: Castro tells US to drop the demands on political front

Castro tells US to drop the demands on political front
AFP By AFP | AFP – 6 hours ago.

President Raul Castro warned Saturday his country could remain estranged from the United States for decades if Washington does not drop political demands.

"If we really want to make progress in bilateral relations, we have to learn to respect each other's differences and get used to living peacefully with them. Otherwise, no. We are ready for another 55 years like this," Castro said at the legislature's closing session.

Castro, 82, recently made world headlines for simply sharing a handshake with US President Barack Obama at the funeral of South Africa's iconic anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.

The United States and Cuba do not have full bilateral relations.

Washington has imposed sanctions on Havana -- the only Communist state in the Americas -- since 1962.

To fully normalize relations with Cuba, US law technically requires a change in Cuba's regime.

More:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/castro-tells-us-drop-demands-political-front-223050273.html#eWpqAZU