President Obama Responds to Yoani Sanchez’

President Obama Responds to Yoani Sanchez’ Questions
Posted: 19 Nov 2009 10:02 AM PST

President Obama’s Responsesto Yoani Sanchez’s Questions

Thank you for this opportunity to exchangev iews with you and your readersi n
Cubaa nd aroundt he world and congratulationso n receiving the Maria Moore
Cabot Prize award from the Columbia University Graduate School ofJournalism
for coverageo fLatin America that furthersi nter-Americanu nderstandingY. ou
richly deservedt he award. 1 was disapp.ointedy ou were deniedt he ability to
travel to receive the award in person.

Your blog provides the world a unique widow into the realities of daily life in
Cuba. It is telling that the Internet hasp rovided you and other courageousC uban
bloggers with an outlet to express yourself so freely, and 1 applaud your collective
efforts to empowerf ellow Cubanst o expresst hemselvesth rough the useo f
technology. The govemmenta nd peopleo f the United Statesjo in all of you in
looking forward to the day all Cubansc an freely expresst hemselvesin public
without fear and without reprisals.

QUESTION #1: FOR YEARS, CUBA HAS BEEN A U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
ISSUE AS WELL AS A DOMEST, IC ONE, IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE OF
THE LARGE CUBAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY. FROM YOUR
PERSPECTIVE, IN WHICH OF THE TWO CA TEGORIES SHOULD THE
CUBAN ISSUE FIT?

AII foreignp olicy issuesin volved omesticc omponentse,s peciallyis sues ,
conceming neighbors like Cuba from which fue United States has a large
immigrant population and with which we have a long history of relations. Our
commitmentt o protect and supportf ree speechh, umanr ights, and democratic
govemance at home and around the world also cuts across the foreign
policy/domestic policy divide. AIso, many ofthe challenges shared by our two
countries, including migration, drug trafficking, and economic issues, involve
traditional domestic and foreign policy concems. Thus, U.S. relations with Cuba
are rightly seen in both a foreign and domestic policy context.

QUESTION 2: SHOULD YOUR ADMINISTRATION BE WILLING TO PUT
AN END TO TRIS DISPUTE, WOULD IT RECOGNIZE THE LEGITIMACY
OF THE RAUL CASTRO GOVERNMENT ÁS THE ONL y V ALID
INTERLOCUTOR IN THE EVENTUAL T ALKS?

As 1 have said before, 1 am prepared to have my administration engage with the
Cuban government on a range of issues of mutual interest as we have already done
in the migration and direct mail talks. It is algo my intent to facilitate greater
contact with fue Cuban people, especially among divided Cuban families, which 1
have done by removing U.S. restrictions on family visits and remittances.
We seek to engage with Cubans outside of the government as we do eIsewhere
around the worId, as the government, of course, is not the onIy voice that matters
in Cuba. We take every opportunity to interact with the fuII range of Cuban
society and Iook forward to the day when fue government reflects the freeIy
expressedw iII of the Cubanp eopIe.

QUESTION 3: HAS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT RENOUNCED THE USE OF
MILITARY FORCE AS THE W AY TO END THE DISPUTE?

The United States has no intention of using military force in Cuba. The United
States supports increased respect for human rights and for political and economic
freedoms in Cuba, and hopes that !he Cuban government will respond to the desire
of the Cuban people to enjoy the benefits of democracy and be able to freely
determine Cuba’ s future. Only the Cuban people can bring about positive change
in Cuba and it is our hope that they will soon be able to exercise their full potential,

QUESTION 4: RAUL CASTRO HAS SAID PUBLICL y THA T HE IS OPEN
TO DISCUSS ANY TOPIC WITH THE U.S. PROVIDED THERE IS MUTUAL
RESPECT AND A LEVEL PLA YING FIELD. IS RAUL ASKING TOO
MUCH?

F or years, I have said that it is time to purgue direct diplomacy, without
preconditions,w ith friends and foes illike. I am not interested,h owever,i n talking
for the sake of talking. In the case of Cuba, such diplomacy should create
opportunities to advance the interests of the United States and the cause of freedom
for the Cuban people.

We have already initiated a dialogue on afeas of mutual concem – gafe, legal, and
orderly migration, and reestablishingd irect mail service. Thesea re small steps,
but an important part of a process to move U. ~ .-Cuban relations in a new and more
positive, direction. Achieving a more normal relationship, however, will require
action by the Cuban government.

QUE S TION 5: IN A HYPOTHETICAL U.S.-CUBA DIALOGUE, WOULD
YOU ENTER T AIN PAR TICIP A TION FROM THE CUBAN EXILE
COMMUNITY, THE CUBA-BASED OPPOSITIONGROUPS AND NASCENT
CUBAN CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS?

When considering any policy decision, it is critical to listen to as many diverse
voices aspossible. When it comes to Cuba, we do exactly that. The U.S.
government regularly talks with groups and individual s inside and outside of Cuba
that have an interest in our relations. Many do not always agree with the Cuban
government; many do not always agree with the United States government; and
many do not agree with each other. What we should all be able to agree on
moving forward is the need to listen to the concerns of Cubans who live on the
island. This is why everything you are doing to project your voice is so important
- not just for the advancemenot f the freedomo f expressioni tself, but algof or
peopleo utsideo f Cubat o gain a betteru nderstandingo f the life, strugglesj,o ys,
and dreams of Cubans on fue island.

.
QUESTION 6: YOU STRONGL y SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES. BUT,
CUBANS CONTINUE TO HA VE LIMITED ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.
HOW MUCH OF THIS IS DUE TO THE U.S. EMBARGO AND HOW MUCH
OF IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITYO F THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT? .

My administration has taken important steps to promote the free flow of
information to and from the Cuban people particularly through new technologies.
We havem adep ossibleg reatert elecommunicationsli nks to advancei nteraction
between Cuban citizens and fue outside world. This will increase the means
through which Cubanso n the island can communicatew ith eacho ther and with
persons outside of Cuba, for example, by expanding opportunities for fiber optic
and satellitet ransmissionsto and from Cuba. This will not happeno vemight. Nor
will it have its full effect without positive actions by the Cuban government. 1
understandth e Cubang overnmenth asa nnounceda plan to provide Cubansg reater
accessto the Internet at post offices. I am following this developmentw ith interest
and urge the governmentt o allow its peoplet o enjoy unrestricteda ccessto fue
interneta nd to information. In addition, we welcomes uggestionsre gardinga feas
in which we can further support the free flow of information within, from, and to
Cuba.

QUESTION 7: WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TRA VEL TO OUR
COUNTRY?

1 would never rule out a course of action that could advance the interests of the
United States and advance the cause of freedom for the Cuban people. At the same
time, diplomatic tools should be used only after careful preparation and as part of a
clear strategy. 1 look forward to visit a Cuba in which all citizens enjoy the same
rights and opportunities as other citizens in the hemisphere.

We obtained the following interview from Yoani Sánchez’ blog DesdeCuba.com/GeneracionY/. Merely two weeks ago, Yoani Sanchez, a Cuban blogger, was arrested and beaten by the Castro government. Sanchez is known for openly critiquing the Cuban regime. Last week, The Americano published a Manifesto and obtained hundreds of signatures in support of Yoani Sanchez. Sanchez received the following answers to questions she sent to President Obama.
President Obama: Thank you for this opportunity to exchange views with you and your readers in Cuba and around the world and congratulations on receiving the Maria Moore Cabot Prize award from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism for coverage of Latin America that furthers inter-American understanding.

You richly deserved the award. I was disappointed you were denied the ability to travel to receive the award in person. Your blog provides the world a unique widow into the realities of daily life in Cuba. It is telling that the Internet has provided you and other courageous Cuban bloggers with an outlet to express yourself so freely, and I applaud your collective efforts to empower f ellow Cubans to express themselves the rough the use of technology.
The government and people of the United States join all of you in looking forward to the day all Cubans can freely express themselves in public without fear and without reprisals.
Yoani Sanchez: 1: For years, Cuba has been a U.S. foreign policy issue as well as a domestic one, in particular because of the large Cuban American community. From your perspective, in which of the two categories should the Cuban issue fit?

All foreign policy issues involve domestic components especially issues concerning neighbors like Cuba from which the United States has a large immigrant population and with which we have a long history of relations. Our commitment to protect and supportf ree speech, human rights, and democratic governance at home and around the world also cuts across the foreign policy/domestic policy divide. Also, many ofthe challenges shared by our two countries, including migration, drug trafficking, and economic issues, involve traditional domestic and foreign policy concems. Thus, U.S. relations with Cuba are rightly seen in both a foreign and domestic policy context.

2: Should your administration be willing to put an end to this dispute, would it recognize the legitimacy of the Raul Castro government as the only valid interlocutor in the eventual talks?
As I have said before, I am prepared to have my administration engage with the Cuban government on a range of issues of mutual interest as we have already done in the migration and direct mail talks. It is algo my intent to facilitate greater contact with the Cuban people, especially among divided Cuban families, which I have done by removing U.S. restrictions on family visits and remittances.

We seek to engage with Cubans outside of the government as we do elsewhere around the world, as the government, of course, is not the only voice that matters in Cuba. We take every opportunity to interact with the full range of Cuban society and I look forward to the day when the government reflects the freely expressed will of the Cuban people.
3: Has the U.S. government renounced the use of military force as the way to end the dispute?
The United States has no intention of using military force in Cuba. The United States supports increased respect for human rights and for political and economic freedoms in Cuba, and hopes that the Cuban government will respond to the desire of the Cuban people to enjoy the benefits of democracy and be able to freely determine Cuba’ s future. Only the Cuban people can bring about positive change in Cuba and it is our hope that they will soon be able to exercise their full potential.

4: Raul Castro has said publicly that he is open to discuss any topic with the U.S. provided there is mutual respect and a level playing field. Is Raul asking too much?
F or years, I have said that it is time to purgue direct diplomacy, without preconditions, with friends and foes alike. I am not interested, however, in talking for the sake of talking. In the case of Cuba, such diplomacy should create opportunities to advance the interests of the United States and the cause of freedom for the Cuban people.

We have already initiated a dialogue on areas of mutual concem – safe, legal, and orderly migration, and reestablishing direct mail service. These are small steps but an important part of a process to move U. S . and Cuban relations in a new and more positive, direction. Achieving a more normal relationship, however, will require action by the Cuban government.
5: In a hypothetical U.S.-Cuba dialogue, would you atain participation from the Cuban exile community, the Cuba-based opposition groups and Cuban Civil society groups?
When considering any policy decision, it is critical to listen to as many diverse voices as possible. When it comes to Cuba, we do exactly that. The U.S. government regularly talks with groups and individual s inside and outside of Cuba that have an interest in our relations. Many do not always agree with the Cuban government; many do not always agree with the United States government; and many do not agree with each other. What we should all be able to agree on moving forward is the need to listen to the concerns of Cubans who live on the island. This is why everything you are doing to project your voice is so important - not just for the advancement of the freedom of expression itself, but also for people outside of Cuba to gain a better understanding of the life, struggles, joys, and dreams of Cubans on the island.
6: You strongly support the development of new communication and information technologies, but the Cubans continue to have a limited access to the internet. How much of this is due to the U.S. embargo and how much of it is the responsibility of the Cuban government?
My administration has taken important steps to promote the free flow of information to and from the Cuban people particularly through new technologies. We have made possible greater telecommunications links to advance interaction between Cuban citizens and the outside world. This will increase the means through which Cubans on the island can communicate with eacho ther and with persons outside of Cuba, for example, by expanding opportunities for fiber optic and satellite transmissions to and from Cuba. This will not happen overnight. Nor will it have its full effect without positive actions by the Cuban government.
I understand the Cuban government has announced a plan to provide Cubans greater access to the Internet at post offices. I am following this development with interest and urge the government to allow its people to enjoy unrestricted access to the internet and to information. In addition, we welcome suggestions which we can further support the free flow of information within, from, and to Cuba.
7: Would you be willing to travel to our country?
I would never rule out a course of action that could advance the interests of the United States and advance the cause of freedom for the Cuban people. At the same time, diplomatic tools should be used only after careful preparation and as part of a clear strategy. I look forward to visit a Cuba in which all citizens enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other citizens in the hemisphere.

For the interview in Spanish,

To sign the Manifesto in support of Yoani Sanchez, please click here.
Interview obtained via http://mail-us.gmx.com/fm07/cgi/derefer?TYPE=2&DEST=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.DesdeCuba.com%2FGeneracionY.

El Presidente Barack Obama responde a Yoani Sánchez
Posted: 19 Nov 2009 07:58 AM PST
Presidente Barack Obama: Agradezco esta oportunidad que me brindas para compartir impresiones contigo y con tus lectores en Cuba y en el mundo, y aprovecho para felicitarte por el premio María Moore Cabot de la Escuela Graduada de Periodismo de la Universidad de Columbia que recibiste por promover el entendimiento mutuo en las Américas mediante tus reportajes. Me decepcionó que se te impidiera viajar para recibir el premio en persona.
Tu blog ofrece al mundo una ventana particular a las realidades de la vida cotidiana en Cuba. Es revelador que el internet les haya ofrecido a ti y a otros valientes blogueros cubanos con un medio tan libre de expresión, y aplaudo estos esfuerzos colectivos para apoderar a sus compatriotas para expresarse a través de la tecnología. El gobierno y el pueblo estadounidense nos unimos a todos ustedes en anticipación del día que todos los cubanos puedan expresarse libre y públicamente sin miedo ni represalias.

Yoani Sánchez: 1. Durante mucho tiempo el tema de Cuba ha estado presente tanto en la política exterior de los Estados Unidos, como entre las preocupaciones domésticas, especialmente por la existencia de una gran comunidad cubano-americana. Desde su punto de vista ¿En cuál de los dos terrenos debe ubicarse este asunto?

Todos los asuntos de política exterior tienen componentes domésticos, especialmente aquéllos que conciernen países vecinos como Cuba, de donde provienen muchos emigrantes radicados en los Estados Unidos, y con la que tenemos una larga historia de vínculos. Nuestros compromisos de proteger y apoyar la libre expresión, los derechos humanos y un estado de derecho democrático tanto en nuestro país como en el mundo también rebasan las demarcaciones entre lo que es política doméstica y exterior. Además de todo esto, muchos de los retos que comparten nuestros países, como la migración, el narcotráfico y el manejo de la economía, son asuntos tanto domésticos como foráneos. En fin, las relaciones entre Cuba y los Estados Unidos han de ser vistas dentro de un contexto tanto doméstico como exterior.

2. En el caso de que existiera, por parte de su gobierno, una voluntad de dar por terminado el diferendo, ¿Pasaría esto por reconocer la legitimidad del actual gobierno de Raúl Castro, como único interlocutor válido en unas eventuales conversaciones?

Como he dicho antes, mi administración está lista para establecer lazos con el gobierno cubano en un número de áreas de mutuo interés, como hemos hecho en las conversaciones migratorias y sobre correo directo. También me propongo facilitar mayor contacto con el pueblo cubano, especialmente entre familias que están divididas, algo que he hecho con la eliminación de restricciones a visitas familiares y a remesas. Queremos establecer vínculos también con cubanos que están fuera del ámbito gubernamental, como lo hacemos en todo el mundo. Está claro que la palabra del gobierno no es la única que cuenta en Cuba. Aprovechamos toda oportunidad para interactuar con todos los renglones de la sociedad cubana, y miramos hacia un futuro en que el gobierno refleje expresamente las voluntades del pueblo cubano.

3. ¿Ha renunciado el gobierno de Estados Unidos al uso de la fuerza militar como forma de dar por terminado el diferendo?

Estados Unidos no tiene intención alguna de utilizar fuerza militar en Cuba. Lo que Estados Unidos apoya en Cuba es un mayor respeto a los derechos humanos y a las libertades políticas y económicas, y se une a las esperanzas de que el gobierno responda a las aspiraciones de su gente de disfrutar de la democracia y de poder determinar el futuro de Cuba libremente. Sólo los cubanos son capaces de promover un cambio positivo en Cuba, y esperamos que pronto puedan ejercer estas facultades de manera plena.

4. Raúl Castro ha dicho públicamente estar dispuesto a dialogar sobre todos los temas, con el único requisito del respeto mutuo y la igualdad de condiciones. ¿Le parecen a usted desmedidas estas exigencias? ¿Cuáles serían las condiciones previas que impondría su gobierno para iniciar un diálogo?

Llevo tiempo diciendo que es hora de aplicar una diplomacia directa y sin condiciones, sea con amigos o enemigos. Sin embargo, hablar por aquello de hablar no es lo que me interesa. En el caso de Cuba, el uso de la diplomacia debería resultar en mayores oportunidades para promover nuestros intereses y las libertades del pueblo cubano.

Ya hemos iniciado un diálogo, partiendo de estos intereses comunes –emigración que sea segura, ordenada y legal, y la restauración del servicio directo de correos. Estos son pasos pequeños, pero parte importante de un proceso para encaminar las relaciones entre los Estados Unidos y Cuba en una nueva y más positiva dirección. No obstante estos pasos, para alcanzar una relación más normal, va a hacer falta que el gobierno cubano tome un curso de acción.

5. ¿Qué participación podrían tener los cubanos del exilio, los grupos de oposición interna y la emergente sociedad civil cubana en ese hipotético diálogo?

Al considerar cualquier decisión sobre política pública, es imprescindible escuchar tantas voces diversas como sea posible. Eso es precisamente lo que hemos venido haciendo con relación a Cuba. El gobierno de los Estados Unidos habla regularmente con grupos e individuos dentro y fuera de Cuba, que siguen con interés el curso de nuestras relaciones. Muchos no están de acuerdo con el gobierno cubano, muchos no están de acuerdo con el gobierno estadounidense, y muchos otros no están de acuerdo entre sí. Lo que debemos estar todos de acuerdo es que tenemos que escuchar a las inquietudes e intereses de los cubanos que viven en la isla. Por eso es que todo lo que están haciendo ustedes para proyectar sus voces es tan importante – no sólo para promover la libertad de expresión, pero también para que la gente fuera de Cuba pueda entender mejor la vida, las vicisitudes y las aspiraciones de los cubanos que están en la isla.

6. Usted es un hombre que apuesta por el desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías de comunicación e información. Sin embargo los cubanos seguimos con muchas limitaciones para acceder a Internet. ¿Cuánta responsabilidad tiene en eso el bloqueo norteamericano hacia Cuba y cuánta el gobierno cubano?

Mi administración ha tomado pasos importantes para promover la corriente libre de información proveniente de y dirigida al pueblo cubano, particularmente mediante nuevas tecnologías. Hemos posibilitado expandir los lazos de las telecomunicaciones para acelerar el intercambio entre la gente de Cuba y la del mundo exterior. Todo eso recrecerá los medios a través de los cuales los cubanos en la isla podrán comunicarse entre sí y con personas fuera de Cuba, valiéndose, por ejemplo, de mayores oportunidades en transmisiones de satélite y de fibra óptica. Esto no ocurrirá de un día a otro, ni tampoco podrá tener plenos resultados sin actos positivos del gobierno cubano. Tengo entendido que el gobierno cubano ha anunciado planes para ofrecer mayor acceso al internet en las oficinas de correo. Sigo estos acontecimientos con interés y urjo al gobierno a permitir acceso a la información y al internet sin restricciones. Quisiéramos escuchar qué recomendaciones tienen para apoyar el flujo libre de información desde y hacia Cuba.
7. ¿Estaría dispuesto a visitar nuestro país?

Nunca descartaría un curso de acción que avance los intereses de los Estados Unidos o promueva las libertades del pueblo cubano. A la misma vez, las herramientas diplomáticas han de usarse sólo luego de preparaciones minuciosas y como parte de una estrategia clara. Anticipo el día que pueda visitar una Cuba donde toda su gente pueda gozar de los mismos derechos y oportunidades que goza el resto de la gente del continente.