President Barack Obama plans to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terror, a decision that removes a major stumbling block in his efforts to restore ties with Havana.
Obama in a notice to Congress says Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the past six months and that its government has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future.
The decision, which comes after a State Department review, would take 45 days to go into effect, the White House said in a notice to Congress.
Havana has made removing the designation a demand in negotiations to re-establish embassies in Havana and Washington.
U.S. authorities put Cuba on the state terror sponsor list in 1982, where it was joined by Iran, Syria and Sudan. The designation bars U.S. weapons sales and economic assistance and imposes a sweeping range of financial restrictions.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said the decision “removes an outdated designation that no longer serves the security interests of the United States, nor the democratic aspirations of the Cuban people.”
But critics accused the administration of overlooking Cuba’s role in providing sanctuary to terrorist organizations, including Spain's ETA and Colombia's FARC and in harboring U.S. fugitives.
“To concede this key demand to Castro -- despite its continued support for terrorist groups and activities -- also sends a dangerous message of impunity to other nations in the region,” said Mauricio Claver-Carone, director of the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC.
Senior administration officials said they had received assurances from the Cuban government that it has renounced terrorism.
Comments