US lawmakers call for change in policy toward Cuba
18/12/2006 16:03
Ten visiting US lawmakers yesterday called on the US government to change
its policy toward Cuba and open dialogue with the South American country.
"We
unanimously believe that the United States should respond positively to the
proposal made by Raul Castro in his speech of Dec. 2," said a joint statement
read by Arizona Republican Jeff Flake.
The statement said no result could be
achieved without the application of diplomatic efforts, adding that dialogue
between the two countries would not be easy.
"No one should be under the
illusion that a negotiation with Cuba would be easy, or that (there would be)
results at all," the statement said.
Raul Castro, the temporary leader, on
Dec. 2 called for negotiations between Cuba and the United States at a military
parade, at which Fidel Castro failed to appear.
The United States, however,
has showed no interest in negotiating, saying that negotiations are impossible
until there is a sign of political liberalization in Cuba.
The two countries
do not have full diplomatic relations, and the United States has maintained an
economic embargo on Cuba.
The lawmakers arrived in Havana on Friday in the
largest US legislative mission to visit the country during Castro's reign. The
visit ended on Sunday.
Xinhua
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