US removes Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terror

  • 9 years ago
The US State Department has announced that Cuba has been removed from the US list of state sponsors of terror, a move which clears the way for restoring relations after half a century.

A spokesman for the state department emphasised that the terror list review was a separate process from the ongoing negotiations to restore diplomatic relations.

“We’ve issued this morning a statement about the rescission of Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The review of Cuba’s designation a state sponsor of terror was instructed by the president and we have had a separate process of discussions with the Cuban government about re-establishing diplomatic relations and re-opening embassies. We see these as separate,” said Jeff Rathke.

Cuba’s government had demanded removal from the list as a condition for normal relations between the two Cold War foes.

For Cubans queuing up for US visas the decision has been a long time coming.

“Cuba has always been affected by terrorism – n

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