KE
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Cuban President Raul Castro included the demand in a speech on Wednesday, calling also for the
US trade embargo to be lifted.
US President Barack Obama "does believe that the prison at Guantanamo Bay should be closed down...
but not the naval base", the White House said.
KE
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The land on which the base stands was leased to the US by Cuba in 1903.
The Cuban government which came to power in the revolution of 1959 has long demanded
its return, saying it is a violation of international law, but the US points to a legal provision
making the lease permanent unless it is terminated by mutual agreement.
KE
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Mr Castro said:
"The re-establishment of diplomatic relations is the start of a process of normalising bilateral relations.
"But this will not be possible while the blockade still exists, while they don't give back the
territory illegally occupied by the Guantanamo naval base."
KE
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This condition was rejected by White House spokesman Josh Earnest
in remarks to the media on Thursday.
Allison
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When will Fidel Castro finally die? He has been a permanent impediment to peace since about 1961! His brother is a more moderate realist.
I agree with President Obama that the prisoners should leave the island. However, the military base should remain US control.
KE
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Why ?ย expand on that Allison !
We know from Osama bin Laden how Citizens get "dread" when Foreign imperialists:
wanna "occupy" a piece of their Country !