Associated Press - June 3, 2009 5:03 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department says today's decision by the
Organization of American States to readmit Cuba "eliminates a
distraction from the past."
A spokesman says the U.S. has worked to make sure that Cuba's return
will be consistent with the principles of "democracy and human rights."
The decision by the OAS was taken by consensus, meaning that the United
States accepted it. But Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had
lobbied for requiring Cuba to make democratic reforms and improve
respect for human rights.
Today's vote in Honduras overturns a decision made in 1962 to suspend
communist Cuba from the organization.
But it doesn't mean Cuba will return to the 34-member group that helps
coordinate policies throughout the Americas. Cuban officials have
repeatedly said they have no interest in being part of an organization
that they consider a tool of the United States.
Even if Cuba changes its mind, the agreement calls for a "dialogue" in
line with OAS "practices" -- seen as a veiled allusion to agreements on
human rights and democracy.
Cuba can return to OAS - if it wants to - KWWL.com - News & Weather for
Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, Iowa | (3 June 2009)
No comments:
Post a Comment