Obama at Cuba Condemns the 'outrageous attacks against innocent people' While Encouraging Improvement in Cuban-America Relations

  

Photo: EPA
President Barack Obama said the 'thoughts and the prayers of the American people' are with the people of Belgium' today following the Brussels terrorist attacks that killed at least two dozen people today from Havana

Obama condemns the 'outrageous attacks against innocent people' in Brussels during major speech in Havana that he hopes will 'bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas'

 'We must be together...in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,'

 

 
 

 Brussels terrorist attacks killed at least two dozen people today
 'We must be together...in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,' Obama said as he promised defeat of those who threaten the safety and security
 Obama is in Cuba and delivered statement on Belgium at the beginning of televised address from Havana's Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso

President Barack Obama said the 'thoughts and the prayers of the American people' are with the people of Belgium' today following the Brussels terrorist attacks that killed at least two dozen people today from Havana.

'We stand in solidarity with them in condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people,' Obama said this morning. 

Obama, said, 'We will do whatever is necessary to support our friend and ally Belgium in bringing to justice whoever is responsible and this is yet another reminder that the world must unite. 

'We must be together - regardless of nationality, or race, or faith - in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,' the president said. 'We can and we will defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world. 

Obama is on foreign travel in Cuba and delivered the statement on Belgium at the beginning of a televised address from Havana's Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso that was attended by the country's dictator Raul Castro.

'I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas,' Obama said. 'I have come here to extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people.'

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Obama is on foreign travel in Cuba and delivered the statement on Belgium at the beginning of a televised address from Havana's Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso that was attended by the country's dictator Raul Castro, center

Before the speech Obama called Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel 'to offer his condolences on behalf of the American people following today’s horrific terrorist attacks in Brussels,' the White House said. 

'The President reaffirmed the steadfast support of the United States for Belgium, and offered any assistance necessary in investigating these attacks and bringing those responsible to justice,' a statement read.

Obama further told Michel the U.S. 'stands together with the people of Belgium' and the European Union  'and once again pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States in our shared commitment to defeat the scourge of terrorism.'

The White House said this morning that U.S. officials have been in close contact with their Belgian counterparts on the explosions at the Brussels Airport and a subway station near the EU headquarters that began just before 8 am local time.

The city of Brussels says 15 people died in the Maelbeek metro explosion and 55 were injured. Another 11 were killed in two blasts at the airport. News reports indicate a total of 130 people were wounded in the attacks. 

One of the attacks has been attributed to a suicide bomber. Belgium has shuttered its transportation systems and put the nation on high alert for terror in response.

The only suspect from last year's Paris attacks that left 130 dead still believed to be alive, Salah Abdeslam, was arrested in Belgium last week. The Belgian government was unable to say in the wake of today's bombings if the events were related. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it is 'closely monitoring' the situation in Brussels and said via Twitter it 'will not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people.' 

It also also the public to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement but did not sent out a bulletin through the National Terror Advisory System.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch was also briefed on the attacks, the Justice Department told the Associated Press. 

The State Department likewise said that John Kerry, who is also on travel in Cuba, was informed and sends his condolences to the Belgian people.

'The United States stands with people of Belgium. We are ready to support the investigation as appropriate,' said State.

The U.S. Embassy in Brussels posted an advisory recommending 'sheltering in place' and advised against taking public transportation.

It warned Americans in the country to 'take the appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.'  

Photo: Reuters

Obama's speech was to be the crescendo of of his 48-hour trip to Havana. A visit 18 months in the making, the U.S. president, with less than a year left in his term, his remarks focused on the renewed bonds between Cuba and the United States following more than 50 years of estrangement

Photo: Reuters

Castro entered before Obama to thunderous applause. The Cuban dictator waved and spread out his arms to the people above and below him for several minutes before Obama entered the theater

Photo: Getty Images

As Obama was due to begin speaking, famed Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso, the namesake of the 94-year-old theater, joined the box reserved for Cuban dignitaries

In Havana, Obama addressed the Belgium terrorist attack then proceeded with his prepared remarks on reconciliation and rights.

'I believe in the Cuban people. This is not just a policy of normalizing relations with the Cuban government, the United States is normalizing relations with the Cuban people,' he said.

Obama said it is time to lift a decades-old, congressionally-mandated U.S. embargo on travel and trade to Cuba.

'But even if we lifted the embargo tomorrow,' he said, 'Cubans would not realize their potential without change here in Cuba.'

The U.S. president said, 'It should be easier to open a business here in Cuba.'

And the internet should be available all across the island nation. 

'There's no limitation from the United States on the ability of Cuba to take these steps. It's up to you.' 

Obama's speech was to be the crescendo of of his 48-hour trip to Havana. A visit 18 months in the making, the U.S. president, with less than a year left in his term, his remarks focused on the renewed bonds between Cuba and the United States following more than 50 years of estrangement.

He respectfully disagreed with Castro on human rights and called for the free exchange of ideas.

Speaking 'as a friend,' Obama said that healthcare, education and environmental protection are important aspects of government but so are fundamental freedoms that the United States government believes are universal.

If they are not granted those freedoms, 'over time the youth will lose hope,' Obama told the authoritarian government officials present.

'I know these issues are sensitive, especially coming from a United States president,' Obama said carefully, as he acknowledged his country's past exploitation of Cuba. 'I know the history, but I refuse to be trapped by it.' 

Obama promised that the United States would not impose its political system on Cuba.

But having removed the shadow of history from our relationship, I must speak honestly about what I believe, about what we as Americans think,' he said.

In a major concession to the United States, the communist host country agreed to broadcast the speech locally so the Cuban people could hear from the first American president to visit the country in nearly 90 years. 

Photo: Caters News Agency

Displaced travelers wait to be moved to safety after Brussels airport was evacuated following two explosions this morning

Photo: Caters News Agency

The city of Brussels says 15 people died in the Maelbeek metro explosion and 55 were injured. Another 11 were killed in two blasts at the airport. News reports indicate a total of 130 people were wounded in the attacks.

Members of Congress began to assemble at 9:25 am for Obama's speech. 

Republicans and Democrats piled in to the lower level of the historic theater in Havana's Capitolio district, including Senators Jeff Flake and Dick Durbin and Representatives Mark Sanford, Reid Ribble, Steve Cohen and Sheila Jackson Lee.

Cuban Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who is being groomed to succeed Cuban President Raul Castro when he steps down in 2018, and other high ranking Cuban officials also took their seats the center of the first level balcony, as did Castro.

Castro entered before Obama to thunderous applause. The Cuban dictator waved and spread out his arms to the people above and below him for several minutes before Obama entered the theater. 

On the first floor, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak, White House Communications Director Jen Psaki and White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest sat in an elevated ground section to the left of the stage on the ground floor. 

As Obama was due to begin speaking, famed Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso, the namesake of the 94-year-old theater, joined the box reserved for Cuban dignitaries.

Courtesy dailymail