Barack Obama

Obama: The key here was undoubtedly the release of U.S. citizen Alan Gross from a prison in Cuba and the corresponding freeing of three suspected Cuban spies in U.S. custody. No normalization of bilateral relations could have happened without these crucial confidence-building measures in place. Related Items Articles Obama gives Cuban regime new life U.S.-Cuba deal means end of golden era for Canadian tourists: experts , according to Winnipeg Free Press. By doing so, the United States and Cuba will now be in a position to discuss a host of bilateral issues -- including drug interdiction, disaster relief, the sharing of medical expertise and immigration -- that will be mutually advantageous to both countries. No longer will political, economic and security interests of Cuba and the United States be held hostage to past grievances and outmoded, Cold War thinking. In a striking departure from past U.S. foreign policy behaviour, U.S. President Barack Obama has agreed to take steps to normalize relations between Washington and Havana. With Canada acting as a key facilitator of U.S.-Cuban discussions, the Obama White House has embarked on a dramatic and long-overdue shift in Cuba policy. This simultaneous release of prisoners allows Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro to begin negotiations on re-establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries -- which were severed more than 50 years ago. According to Obama, the United States will move toward establishing a fully functioning embassy in Havana and permit U.S. officials to meet directly with their Cuban counterparts. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.