0:17

thank you so much thank you very much president castro the people of cuba
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thank you so much for the warm welcome that I have received the my family have
0:33
received in the large delegations received it is an extraordinary honor to
0:39
be here today before I begin please indulge me I want to comment on the
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terrorist attacks that have taken place in Brussels thoughts and prayers of the
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American people are with the people of Belgium we stand in solidarity with them
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in condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people we will do
1:03
whatever is necessary to support our friend and ally Belgium in bringing to
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justice those who are responsible and this is yet another reminder that the
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world must unite we must be together regardless of nationality or race or
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faith in fighting against the scourge of terrorism we can and we will defeat
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those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world
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to the government and the people of cuba I want to thank you for the kindness
1:40
that you've shown to me and Michelle Malia Sasha my mother-in-law marian
1:50
TV
1:51
when are also in his famous
2:04
his most famous poll was a mighty made this offering of friendship and peace to
2:11
both his friend and his enemy today as the president of the united states of
2:18
america offer the cuban people who don't pass
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is only ninety miles from Florida but to get here we had to travel a great
2:42
distance over barriers of history and ideology barriers of pain and separation
2:51
the blue waters beneath Air Force One once carried American battleships to
2:58
this island to liberate but also to exert control over cuba those waters

3:06
also carry generations of Cuban revolutionaries to the United States
3:09
where they built support for their cause that's right distance has been crossed
3:16
by hundreds of thousands of cuban exiles planes and makeshift whereas came to
3:23
America in pursuit of freedom and opportunity sometimes leaving behind
3:27
everything they owned in every person that they loved like so many people in
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both of our countries my lifetime has spanned a time of isolation between us
3:43
the cuban revolution took place the same here that my father came to the United
3:48
States from the Bay of Pigs took place the year that I was born the next year
4:01
the entire world held its breath watching our two countries as humanity
4:05
came as close as we ever have to the horror of nuclear war
4:12
as the decades rolled by our government settled into a seemingly endless
4:18
confrontation fighting battles to process in a world that remade itself
4:26
time and again one constant was the conflict between the United States and
4:32
Cuba I have come here to burn the last remnant of the cold war in the Americas
4:52
I have come here to extend the hand of friendship to the cuban people
5:01
I want to be clear the day
5:05
between our governments over these many years are real and they are important
5:09
I'm sure president castro would say the same thing I know because I've heard him
5:16
address those differences at length but before I discuss those issues we also
5:23
need to recognize how much we ship because in many ways the United States
5:28
and Cuba are like two brothers who been estranged for many years even as we
5:33
share the same blood we both live in a new world colonized by europeans you
5:44
both like the United States was built in part by slaves brought here from africa

5:48
like the United States the cuban people can trace their heritage to both slaves
5:55
and slave owners we've welcomed immigrants who came a great distance to
6:04
start new lives in the Americas over the years our cultures have blended together
6:10
dr. Carlos pinless work in cuba paved the way for generations of doctors
6:17
including Walter Reed who drew on dr. Finlay's work to help combat yellow
6:23
fever just as Marty wrote some of his most famous words in New York ernest
6:30
hemingway made a home in cuba and found inspiration in the waters of the shores
6:35
we share a national pastime not been taught them
6:41
and later today our players will compete on the same havana filled the Jackie
6:48
Robinson played on before he made his major league debut
7:01
greatest boxer Muhammad Ali once paid tribute to a Cuban that he could never
7:07
fight saying that he would only be able to reach a draw with the great Cuban
7:11
your fellow Stevens
7:21
even as our government's became adversaries are people continue to share
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these common passions particularly as so many cubans came to America in Miami you
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can find places to dance the cha cha cha the salsa and he robbed of people in
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both of our countries have some along with Celia Cruz Gloria Estefan and now
7:48
listen to reggaeton bit more millions of our people share a common religious
7:55
faith that I paid tribute to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in miami is a
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piece that cubans find in LA for all of our differences the cuban-american
8:11
people share common values in their own lines a sense of patriotism and a sense
8:17
of pride a lot of prime a profound love of family a passion for our children our
8:26
commitment to their education that's why I believe our grandchildren will look

8:32
back on this period of isolation as an aberration is just one chapter in a
8:38
longer story of family and friendship but we cannot and should not ignore the
8:46
very real differences that we have about how we organize our governments our
8:51
economies and our societies you buy as a one-party system the United States is a
8:59
multi-party democracy cuba has a socialist economic model the United
9:05
States is an open market has emphasized the role and rights of the stake the
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United States is founded upon the rights of the individual despite these
9:19
differences
9:20
on December 17 2014 president castro on I announce that the united states and
9:26
cuba would begin a process to normalize relations between our countries
9:40
since then we've established diplomatic relations and open nemesis we've begun
9:45
initiatives to cooperate on health and agriculture education and law
9:50
enforcement we've reached agreements to restore direct flights and mail service
9:56
we've expanded commercial ties and increase the capacity of Americans to
10:01
travel and do business in cuba and these changes have been welcome even though
10:07
there's still opponents to these policies still many people on both sides
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of this debate of us why now why now there is one simple answer when the
10:24
United States was doing was not working we have to have the courage to
10:31
acknowledge that truth a policy of isolation designed for the cold war made
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little sense in the 21st century the embargo is only hurting the cuban people
10:42
instead of helping and I've always believed in what martin luther king
10:46
junior called the fierce urgency of now we should not be a change we should
10:50
embrace it

11:01
that leads me to a bigger and more important reason for these changes trail
11:08
where you wanna believe in the cuban people
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this is not just a policy of normalizing relations with the cuban government
11:24
United States of America's normalizing relations with the cuban people
11:33
want to share with you my vision of what our future can be I want the cuban
11:38
people especially the young people to understand why I believe you should look
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to the future with hope not the false promise which insist that things are
11:49
better than they really are
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or the blind optimism that says all your problems can go away tomorrow hope that
11:57
is rooted in the future that you can choose and that you can shape you can
12:01
build for your country i'm hopeful because I believe that the cuban people
12:07
are as innovative as any people in the world in a global economy powered by
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ideas and information
12:17
country's greatest asset is its people in the United States we have a clear
12:23
monument to what the cuban people can build its called miami here in havana we
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see that same talent in what the purpose cooperatives and old cars that still run
12:38
by delivering
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system of education which values every boy and every girl
13:12
the cuban government has begun to open up to the world and to open up more
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space for that talent to thrive in just a few years we've seen how went the
13:22
previous can succeed while sustaining a distinctly cuban spirit being
13:28
self-employed is not about becoming more like america it's about being yourself
13:32
look at some other shows to start a small business

13:42
cuban she said can innovate and adapt without losing our identity our secret
13:48
is not in copying or imitating but simply being ourselves look at the
13:56
people by address a barber whose success allowed him to improve conditions in his
14:02
neighborhood I realize I'm not gonna solve all the worlds problems he said
14:07
but if I can solve problems in the little piece of the world where I live
14:11
it can ripple across event at work hope begins with the ability to earn your own
14:20
living and to build something you can be proud of
14:23
that's why our policies focus on supporting cubans instead of hurting
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that's why we got rid of limits on remittances so ordinary cubans have more
14:33
resource that's why we're encouraging travel which will build bridges between
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our people and bring more revenue to those cubans small business that's why
14:45
we've opened up space for commerce and exchanges so that Americans and cubans
14:49
can work together to find cures for diseases and create jobs and open the
14:55
door to more opportunity for the cuban deep as president United States I've
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called on our Congress to lift the embargo
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it is an outdated Bernama Cuban people it's a burden on the Americans who want
15:24
to work and do business or invest here in cuba its time but even if we lifted
15:35
the embargo tomorrow
15:37
cubans would not realize their potential without continued change here in cuba
15:42
open a business a worker should be able to get a job directly with companies to
15:55
invest here in cuba to currencies shouldn't separate the type of salaries
16:00
are cubans can earn the Internet should be available across the islands of the
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cubans can connect to the wider world and to one of the greatest engines of

16:10
growth in human history from the United States on the ability of cuba to take
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these steps it's up to you I can tell you as a friend that sustainable
16:27
prosperity in the 21st century depends on education health care and
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environmental protection but it also depends on the free and open exchange of
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ideas if you get access information online if you cannot be exposed to
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different points of view you will not reach your full attention and over time
16:53
the youth will lose hope I know these issues are sensitive especially coming
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from an american president before 1959 some Americans are cuba's something to
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exploit ignored poverty enabled corruption and since 1959 we've been
17:19
shadow boxes in this battle of your politics and personalities I know the
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history
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but I refuse to be trapped by it
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clear that the United States has neither the capacity nor the intention to impose
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change on cuba what changes come will depend upon the cuban people will not
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oppose our political or economic system on you we recognize that every country
17:50
every people must chart its own course in shape its own model but having
17:57
removed the shadow of history from our relationship I must speak honestly about
18:02
the things that I believe the things that we as Americans believe as much
18:11
liberty is the right of every man to be honest I think and to speak without
18:18
hypocrisy let me tell you what i believe i cant force you to agree that you
18:28
should know what I think I believe that every person should be equal under the
18:33
law every child deserves the dignity that comes with education and health
18:39
care and food on the table and a roof over their heads

18:43
I believe citizen should be free to speak their mind without fear to
18:54
organize and the criticize their government and to protest peacefully and
19:01
that the rule of law should not include arbitrary detentions of people who
19:04
exercise those rights
19:07
I believe that every person should have the freedom to practice their faith
19:13
peacefully and publicly and yes I believe voters should be able to choose
19:20
their governments and free and democratic elections not everybody
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agrees with me on this agrees with the american people on this but I believe
19:32
those human rights are universal I believe in the rights of the American
19:40
people the cuban people and people around the world there's no secret that
19:45
our governments disagree on many of these issues I've had great
19:49
conversations with president castro for many years he has pointed out the flaws
19:56
in the american system economic inequality the death penalty
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racial discrimination wars abroad as just a sample has a much longer list but
20:14
here's what the cuban people need to understand I welcome this open debate
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and dialogue it's good it's healthy I'm not afraid of it we do have too much
20:24
money in american politics but in america is still possible for somebody
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like me a child who was raised by single mom child of mixed race who did not have
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a lot of money to pursue and achieve the highest office in the land that's what's
20:38
possible in america
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we do have challenges with racial bias in our communities our criminal justice
20:53
system in our society
20:55
the legacy of slavery and segregation but the fact that we have open debates

21:01
within America's own democracy is what allows us to get better in 1959 the year
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the my father moved to America it was illegal for him to marry my mother was
21:15
white in many american states when I first started school we were still
21:21
struggling to desegregate schools across the american south but people organized
21:28
they protested they debated these issues a challenge government officials and
21:35
because of those protests and because of those debates and because of popular
21:39
mobilization I'm able to stand here today as an african-american and as
21:43
president United States that was because of the freedoms afforded in the united
21:48
states that we were able to bring about change I'm not saying this is easy
21:55
there's still enormous problems in our society but democracy is the way to we
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solve them that's how we got health care for more of our people that's how we
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made enormous gains and women's rights and gay rights it's how we address the
22:13
inequalities to concentrate so much wealth of the top of our society because
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workers can organize and ordinary people have a voice
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american democracy is given our people the opportunity to pursue their dreams
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and enjoy a high standard of living
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there's still some tough fights it isn't always pretty the process of democracy
22:38
it's often frustrating you can see that in the election going on back home would
22:50
you stop and consider this fact about the american campaign that's taking
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place right now you had to cuban-americans in the republican party
22:59
running against the legacy of a black man who was president while arguing that
23:05
they're the best person to beat the democratic nominee who will either be a
23:08
woman or a democratic socialist

23:12
whatever believe that back in nineteen fifty-nine that's a measure of our
23:16
progress as a democracy
23:24
here's my message to the cuban government and the cuban people the
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ideals that are the starting point for every revolution america's revolution
23:37
Cuba's revolution the liberation movements around the world
23:41
those ideals find their truest expression I believe in democracy
23:45
because american democracy is perfect but precisely because we're not and we
23:54
like every country meet the space that democracy gives us to change it gives
24:03
individuals the capacity to be catalysts to think in new ways to re-imagine our
24:10
society should be and make them better
24:17
there's already a revolution taking place inside of cuba a generational
24:22
change many suggesting that I come here and ask the people of cuba deterrence
24:27
something down but I'm appealing to the young people of Cuba lift something up
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build something new
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kuba tiene que estar in los Manos del pueblo
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and the president castro appreciate being here today I wanted you to know I
24:55
believe my visit here demonstrates you do not need to fear a threat from the
25:01
United States given your commitment to cuba sovereignty and self-determination
25:05
I am also confident that you need not fear the different voices of the cuban
25:10
people and their capacity to speak and assemble and vote for their leaders in
25:16
fact I'm hopeful for the future because I trust the cuban people make the right
25:19
decisions and as you do I'm also confident that cuba can continue to play
25:27
an important role in the hemisphere and around the globe and my hope is that you

25:33
can do so as a partner with the united states we've played very different roles
25:40
in the world but no one should deny the service that thousands of Cuban doctors
25:45
and delivered for the poor and suffering
26:03
last year american healthcare workers and the us-led military work
26:07
side-by-side with cubans to save lives and stamp out ebola in West Africa I
26:14
believe that we should continue that kind of cooperation in other countries
26:17
we've been on the different side of so many complex in the Americas but today
26:23
Americans and cubans are sitting together at the negotiating table and we
26:28
are helping the Colombian people resolve a civil war that has dragged on for
26:32
decades
26:36
operation is good for everybody gives everyone in this hemisphere hope we took
26:45
different journeys to our support for the people of South Africa and ending
26:50
apartheid president castro I could both be there in johannesburg to pay tribute
26:55
to the legacy of the great Nelson Mandela
27:08
and examining his wife and his words I'm sure we both realized we have more work
27:15
to do to promote equality in our own countries reduce discrimination based on
27:22
race in our own countries and in cuba we want our engagement to help lift up the
27:30
cubans were African descent have proven that there's nothing they cannot achieve
27:34
when given the chance we've been apart of different blocs of nations in the
27:42
hemisphere and we will continue to have profound differences about how to
27:45
promote peace security opportunity and human rights but as we normalize our
27:51
relations I believe it can help foster a greater sense of unity in the Americas
27:57
todos somos America owns

28:05
from the beginning of my time in office urged the people of the Americas to
28:10
leave behind the ideological battles of the past we are in a new era I know that
28:18
many of the issues that i've talked about lack the drama of the past and I
28:24
know that part of cuba's identity is its pride in being a small island nation
28:28
that could stand up for its rights and shake the world but I also know that
28:34
Cuba will always stand out because of the talent hard work and pride of the
28:39
cuban people that's your strength
28:46
have to be defined by being against the United States any more than the united
28:51
states should be defined by being against Cuba and I'm hopeful for the
28:58
future because of the reconciliation that's taking place among the cuban
29:02
people you know I know that for some cubans on the island there may be a
29:13
sense that those who left somehow supported the old order in cuba I'm sure
29:20
there's a narrative that lingers here which suggests that cuban exiles ignored
29:25
the problems of pre-revolutionary cuba rejected the struggle to build a new
29:29
future I can tell you today that so many cuban exiles carry a memory of painful
29:38
and sometimes violent separation of cuba a part of them still considers this
29:49
their true that's why their passion is so strong heart is so great for the
30:00
cuban-american community that I've come to know and respect this is not just
30:04
about politics is about family the memory of a home that was lost the
30:12
desire to rebuild a broken by the hope for a better future hold for return and
30:20
reconciliation
30:26
all of the politics people are people and cubans are cubans and I've come here
30:34
I've traveled this distance on a bridge that was built by cubans on both sides

30:39
of the florida straits I first got to know the talent and passion of the cuban
30:45
people in America and I know how they have suffered more than the pain of
30:51
exile they also know what it's like to be an outsider and to struggle in to
30:56
work hard and make sure their children can reach higher in America so the
31:04
reconciliation of the cuban people the children and grandchildren of revolution
31:11
and the children and grandchildren of exile that is fundamental to cuba's
31:15
future
31:23
Laura Gonzalez who traveled here in 2013 for the first time after 61 years of
31:31
separation and was met by our system your you recognize me but I didn't
31:40
recognize you gloria said after she embraced for civil imagine that after 61
31:47
years you see it and Melinda Lopez who came to her family's old home and as she
31:55
was walking the streets an elderly woman recognized her is her mother's daughter
32:00
and began to cry she took her into her home and showed her a pile of photos
32:07
that included Melinda's baby picture with your mother had sent fifty years
32:12
ago linda later said so many of us are now getting so much back you see it in
32:24
Christian Miguel so that young man who became the first of his family to travel
32:29
here after fifty years and meeting relatives for the first time he said I
32:34
realized that families family no matter the distance between us sometimes the
32:43
most important changes start in small places the tides of history could leave
32:49
people in conflict in exile in poverty it takes time for those circumstances to
32:54
change but the recognition of a common humanity the reconciliation of people
33:00
bound by blood and a belief in one another that's where progress begins
33:05
understanding

33:09
and listening and forgiveness the cuban people face the future together it will
33:19
be more likely that the young people of today will be able to live with dignity
33:22
and achieve their dreams right here in cuba the history of the united states
33:30
and cuba encompass revolution in conflict struggle and sacrifice
33:34
retribution and now reconciliation it is time now for us to leave the past behind
33:43
it is time for us to look forward to the future together and it won't be easy and
33:52
there will be setbacks it will take time of my time here in cuba renews my hope
33:57
and my confidence in what the cuban people will do we can make this journey
34:01
as friends and neighbors and his family together to support it