U.S., Cuba quietly open historic new chapter in post-Cold War ties

[cal04]

Last edited Mon Jul 20, 2015, 03:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Reuters

The United States and Cuba quietly ushered in a new era of post-Cold War relations on Monday, formally restoring diplomatic ties severed more than five decades ago and re-establishing embassies in each other’s capitals.

Just past the stroke of midnight, the two countries reached a new milestone in the historic thaw that began with a breakthrough announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro on Dec. 17.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez will preside around 10:30 a.m. over the raising of the Cuban flag for the first time in 54 years over a mansion that will again serve as Havana’s embassy in Washington.

(snip)
While the Cubans hold their ceremony, the U.S. Embassy in Havana will also reopen. But no American flag will fly there until a visit by Kerry expected next month. “We wanted the secretary to be there to oversee these important events,” a State Department official said.

Read more: http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN0PU07N20150720

---

Update:
Cuban flag flies in Washington as relations restored
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-33590417
(snip)
The Cuban flag was raised on Monday at the newly opened embassy in Washington.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to hold talks with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez later in the day.

Despite the historic shift, both sides admit to lingering difficulties.

There were still "issues that we don't see eye to eye on", a US state department spokesman said.





http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/us-cuba-diplomatic-relations_55ac7645e4b065dfe89ea12a?

[RobertEarl]

1. This is Kerry's fault

That Liberal progressive finally had the power to do something and, by gawd, he went and did it. Cuba is now no enemy. It is neighbor.

Sure, Obama helped, but this is Kerry's fault.

[Daniel537]

2. Beautiful to see this finally happen.

This is why i voted for Barack Obama both times, i didn't think anybody else would have the stones to restores ties to Cuba. Now time to work to lift the economic blockade against Cuba.

[JonLP24]

3. Cuba let our spies back in?

Cuba



HAVANA – Despite having no official embassy in Cuba since 1961, Havana is shown as a covert collection site on the 2010 "SCS Global Presence" list provided by Edward Snowden, and is described as a "staffed location". In lieu of an embassy, the US has what is called a “United States Interests Section in Havana" - which is located inside the Swiss embassy.

http://www.duncancampbell.org/content/embassy-spy-centre-network