US President Barak Obama arrives in Trinidad.

Launching a “new chapter of engagement” with the Western Hemisphere, US President Barack Obama’s first visit with his Latin and Caribbean neighbours came accompanied by a number of billion-dollar assistance plans for the region.

And part of Obama’s package included the confirmation that the US seeks a new partnership with Cuba. “Let me be clear. I am not interested in talking for the sake of talking. But I do believe we can move US/Cuban relations in a new direction,” Obama said at yesterday’s launch of the Fifth Summit of the Americas. Obama’s announcements comprised his introductory “handshake” in meeting the US’s 33 other colleagues in the Organisation of American States (OAS) gathering at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain yesterday.

However, before Obama’s address—what appeared to be the highlight of the evening —he had to sit through scathing criticism of previous US administrations and policies from Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, another speaker. Ortega as well as Argentina President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called for removal of US sanctions against Cuba—a point Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has belaboured in the past weeks. “I’m glad President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old,” Obama quipped. Obama admitted promises of partnership have gone unfulfilled in the past. He said trust must be earned over time.

“While the US has done much on behalf of peace and prosperity in the hemisphere, we have at times been disengaged or sought to dictate our terms...But I pledge to you that we seek an equal partnership,” he said.
“There is no senior partner and junior partner in our relations; there is simply engagement based upon mutual respect, common interests, and shared values.” In an indirect reply to Ortega’s criticisms, Obama added: “To move forward, we cannot let ourselves be prisoners of past disagreements. Too often, an opportunity to build a fresh partnership of the Americas has been undermined by stale debates. We’ve all heard these arguments. “I didn’t come here to debate the past—I came here to deal with the future. As neighbours, we have a responsibility to each other and to our citizens,” he said.

Obama said his billion-dollar assistance plan for the region was “by no means charity,” but a move to work together. On moves to improve regional security, Obama said, “We know that our responsibility starts at home. That is why we will take aggressive action to reduce our demand for drugs, and to stop the flow of guns and bulk cash south across our border. Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Caricom chairman Dean Barrow yesterday both endorsed calls for Cuba to be re-integrated into the institutions of the western hemisphere. Obama, who outlined his moves to seek a “new beginning with Cuba.” “I know there is a longer journey that must be travelled in overcoming decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day,” he said. “I have already changed a Cuba policy that has failed to advance liberty or opportunity for the Cuban people.”

Recounting recent concessions towards Cuba, Obama said, “Over the past two years, I have indicated—and I repeat today—that I am prepared to have my administration engage with the Cuban government on a wide range of issues—from human rights, free speech, and democratic reform to drugs, migration, and economic issues.” Manning and Barrow outlined a number of issues which the summit would examine. Manning especially called for a discussion atmosphere of maturity and respect. Yesterday’s celebrity-studded summit launch included five UNC MPs who attended despite the absence of Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday. UNC MP Vasant Bharath said T&T was in the international spotlight and should therefore be supported.