Obama says U.S. expects signals of change from Cuba

Source: Xinhua | 04-17-2009 09:02

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The United States expects to see signals of change from Cuba, U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday.

"What we're looking for is some signals that there are going to be changes in how Cuba operates," Obama told CNN television hours before his departure for his first official visit to Mexico as American president.

Speaking of the changes that the United States expects from Havana, Obama called for the release of political prisoners and freedom of speech in Cuba.

Cuba's government denies reports that it has political prisoners.

Obama made the remarks after he announced on Monday the lifting of restrictions on travel and money transfers by Cuban-Americans to Cuba, and allowed American telecommunications firms to provide services for the Cubans.

The move by the White House was said to be a major shift in its long-standing policies of isolating Cuba.

Since the victory of the Cuban revolution in 1959, U.S. administrations have invariably adopted a hostile policy toward Cuba. Washington broke off relations with the country in 1961, and has imposed an economic blockade and restrictive measures on trade with Cuba since 1962.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei