Washington---In December, Barack Obama and Raul Castro stunned the world by ending more than five decades of bad blood between Cuba and the United States, saying they would seek to re-establish full diplomatic ties.
But initial enthusiasm over the long-awaited post-Cold War thaw has given way to the uphill slog of negotiating a long list of issues that could take years to iron out. Among the issues to be resolved:
- Communist Cuba -
In economic crisis and facing potential loss of support from key ally Venezuela, it still has a centrally planned economy and says it does not want to embrace Chinese-style capitalism.
- Reopening embassies -
Priority number one for next-door neighbors who have not spoken to each other since the 1960s: re-establishing full diplomatic relations, and turning their Interests Sections into embassies.
They have had these offices in each other's capitals -- under Swiss auspices -- since 1977. Not having normally functioning full embassies is a big inconvenience for both countries. Obama said he hoped to get it done before the Summit of the Americas which starts Friday in Panama.
- State sponsor of terror? -
Cuba has always denied sponsoring terror, as alleged by the United States. Since 1982, the United States has included Cuba on the State Department's list of state terror sponsors.
Havana wants to be removed from the list. Washington says the issues are on separate tracks. But Obama also already has said the thorny issue would be reviewed.
- Compensation for nationalized property -
Another one of the most difficult matters: reaching agreement on homes, land and companies seized from Cubans -- most of whom fled the Americas' only Communist regime and became Cuban-Americans.
That's a "Big One" says William LeoGrande, author of "Back Channel to Cuba." The United States says Cuba owes $7.0 billion to individuals and corporations such as Coca Cola and Exxon
But Cuba tops that. It said in September that the full US economic embargo in place since 1962 has cost it $116 billion.
Havana wants Washington to drop its sanctions faster -- mainly so US beachgoers can visit as soon as possible. But the embargo is codified in laws that mainly must be dismantled by the Republican-led Congress opposing Obama on most fronts.
AFP
