news Obama sees positive signs from Venezuela, Cuba, but 'deeds' needed

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Obama sees positive signs from Venezuela, Cuba, but 'deeds' needed


16 minutes ago






By Ben Feller, The Associated Press



PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad - President Barack Obama said Sunday that he has seen positive signs from both Cuba and Venezuela in his four-day trip to Central America, but "the test for all of us is not simply words but also deeds."


At a news conference marking the end of the Summit of the Americas, Obama added, "I do believe that the signals sent so far provide at least an opportunity for frank dialogue on a range of issues, including critical issues of democracy and human rights throughout the hemisphere."


It was Obama's first presidential trip to the region, where he shook hands with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and welcomed remarks made in Havana by Cuban President Raul Castro.


Obama also said the meeting of heads of state had the potential to create greater progress on economic progress, climate control and immigration.


As he did on a recent trip to Europe, Obama stressed in Central America that the United States is a willing partner, "inclined to listen and not just talk," in trying to advance national interests.


"We recognize that other countries have good ideas, too, and we want to hear them," he said, adding that the fact that an idea comes "from a small country, like Costa Rica," should not diminish its potential benefit.


But his trip was dominated by images of his handshake with Chavez, the leftist president of Venezuela who once likened former president George W. Bush to the devil, as well as by at least an initial thaw in relations with communist Cuba.


Chavez approached Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the summit and said he was restoring his country's ambassador in Washington, voicing hopes for a new era in relations after exchanging greetings with Obama.


The Venezuelan leader told reporters he will propose Roy Chaderton, his current ambassador to the Organization of American States, as the country's new representative in a move toward improving strained ties with Washington.


Chavez, an ally of Cuba, expelled the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick Duddy, in September in solidarity with leftist Bolivian President Evo Morales, who ordered out the top U.S. diplomat in his country.


Obama loosened the 50-year-old trade embargo slightly with Cuba before departing Washington last Friday, and the government in Havana said it was open to talks on issues including human rights - a topic long held off-limits.


Obama and Clinton both welcomed the remarks.


Reminded that he had once favoured lifting the embargo, Obama sidestepped the issue.


"The policy we've had in place for 50 years has not worked," he told reporters at the news conference. "The Cuban people are not free."


He said freedom of speech and freedom of religions are important "and not something to be brushed aside."