Obama To Normalize Relations With Cuba

[Kim Jong-Un's Pajama Pants]

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A courageous move.  The embargo has not "worked".

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced plans to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba and ease economic restrictions on the nation, an historic shift he called the end of an "outdated approach" to U.S.-Cuban relations.

Obama said he's instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to immediately begin discussions with Cuba to re-establish diplomatic relations, and that the U.S. will re-open an embassy in Havana. The administration will also allow some travel and trade that had been banned under a decades-long embargo instated during the Kennedy administration.

"Neither the American nor Cuban people are well-served by a rigid policy that's rooted in events that took place before most of us were born," Obama said.

He later added: "I believe we can do more to support the Cuban people, and promote our values, through engagements. After all, these 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked. It's time for a new approach."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/17/politics/obama-cuba-castro-relations/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[RV Pundit]

Long overdue from both sides.

[Olekoima]

Good for regional stability. It is in America's interest to bring Cuba back on board.

[mya88]

Courageous indeed, for a lame duck sitting president. Obama is going to make these last two years of his presidency count for something, after the constant sabotages from the other side. They forgot that there is something called executive privilege. The republicans are still in shock at his audacity.....names such as imperial presidency are now making the rounds in politico circles.