In the first meeting between leaders of the U.S. and Cuba in more than half a century, President Obama said Saturday that it was time for the two countries “to try something new.”
Mr. Obama sat down with Cuban President Raul Castro Saturday afternoon in a small room at a convention center in Panama City during the Summit of the Americas, and described their face-to-face meeting as “historic.”
“We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future,” Mr. Obama told reporters, saying that 50 years of U.S. policy of isolating Cuba with sanctions had not worked.
“It was my belief it was time to try something new, that it was important for us to engage with Cuban government,” Mr. Obama said. “And more importantly, with Cuban people.”
Mr. Castro told Mr. Obama that he was ready discuss issues including human rights and freedom of the press, saying, “Everything can be on the table.” But he also warned that the two countries have “agreed to disagree.”
“We are willing to make progress in the way the president has described,” Mr. Castro said.
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Earlier Saturday, Mr. Castro gave an hour-long speech at the summit in which he recited the history of animosity between the two nations and abruptly absolved Mr. Obama of any blame for the contentious relationship.
“I have told President Obama that I get very emotional talking about the revolution,” Mr. Castro said through a translator, noting that Mr. Obama had not even been born when the U.S. started imposing sanctions on Cuba. “I apologize to him because President Obama had no responsibility for this.”
“We are willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient, very patient,” Mr. Castro said. “We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow.”
Mr. Castro added: “In my opinion, President Obama is an honest man.”
Mr. Obama said the U.S. “will not be imprisoned by the past.” He said the majority of Americans and Cubans have responded positively to the announcement in December that the two former Cold War adversaries would re-establish diplomatic relations.
“Over time it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries,” Mr. Obama said.
The president said there will continue to be deep and significant differences between the U.S. and Cuba, but should agree in a spirit of respect. He said the U.S. will speak out for democracy and human rights, and that Cuba will raise concerns about U.S. policy as well.
Mr. Castro smiled at that latter comment.
Both leaders agreed that the immediate task ahead is to open embassies in Washington and Havana. Mr. Castro is insisting that the U.S. remove Cuba from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, action that the administration is expected to take imminently.
“We are willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient, very patient,” Mr. Castro said. “We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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