The Associated Press ✔ @AP

Follow

BREAKING: US officials: US to start talks with Cuba to normalize full diplomatic relations, open embassy.

8:43 AM - 17 Dec 2014

 

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7f7f6bba9d9...oner-alan-gross

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — American officials say the U.S. and Cuba will start talks to normalize full diplomatic relations as part of the most significant shift in U.S. policy toward the communist island in decades.

 

Officials say the U.S. is also looking to open an embassy in Havana in the coming months. The moves are part of an agreement between the U.S. and Cuba that also includes the release of American Alan Gross and three Cubans jailed in Florida for spying.

 

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, said the agreement includes normalizing banking and trade ties with Cuba.

 

That's a pretty significant foreign policy development.

Once they lost Jose Abreu, they couldn't handle it anymore.

can you blame them?

That beef has been going on for far too long. Next up, IRAN!

Casinos are next?

This is long overdue.

 

To help further relations, we should also send Luis Posada Carriles to Cuba. So he can be put on trial for terrorism.

Casinos are next?

Non-American tourists around the world groan at the thought of opening up Cuba to regular US travel.

I've always wanted to visit Cuba, now I need to make it happen ASAP. Once the American business interests get down there , I imagine it becoming a corporate tourist trap, losing most of its culture and charm quickly.

I've always wanted to visit Cuba, now I need to make it happen ASAP. Once the American business interests get down there , I imagine it becoming a corporate tourist trap, losing most of its culture and charm quickly.

 

The quickest way to ruin it, Americanize it.

I don't care to analyze or debate the geo-political ramifications. All I want to know is: When can I get the Cohibas!!!

what will actually change:

 

The United States will also ease travel restrictions across all 12 categories currently envisioned under limited circumstances in American law, including family visits, official visits, journalistic, professional, educational and religious activities, and public performances, officials said. Ordinary tourism, however, will remain prohibited.

 

Mr. Obama will also allow greater banking ties and raise the level of remittances allowed to be sent to Cuban nationals to $2,000 every three months from the current limit of $500. Intermediaries forwarding remittances will no longer require a specific license from the government. American travelers will also be allowed to import up to $400 worth of goods from Cuba, including up to $100 in tobacco and alcohol products.

So basically the US is going to replace the old USSR as its subsidizer.

I don't see anything about direct aid in there?

I don't see anything about direct aid in there?

 

Direct, no. But same effect by allowing the flow of dollars into the island like that.

Well then we're "subsidizing" a lot of countries that people send money back to.

Well then we're "subsidizing" a lot of countries that people send money back to.

 

Yes we are.

Consider it at worst an even trade for their subsidization of our importation of goods produced with cheap labor.

Consider it at worst an even trade for their subsidization of our importation of goods produced with cheap labor.

 

I consider it a great way to collapse communism.

The embargo was propping up Castro more than it was hurting him. He could blame any failures and shortcomings on those capitalist pigs in Washington!

Glad this is ending.

Pretty amazing news to see walking down an airport terminal in flordia. I was like... "Um... So I gurss I could go to Cuba now."

Pretty amazing news to see walking down an airport terminal in flordia. I was like... "Um... So I gurss I could go to Cuba now."

I believe I read that there still will not be direct flights allowed any time soon.

I want to go to the first series the Sox play at the Havana Rays.