Cuba Migration Talks / Declaración a la prensa de la delegación cubana a la ronda de conversaciones migratorias con los Estados Unidos

U.S. Department of State. Office of the Spokesman

STATEMENT BY PHILIP J. CROWLEY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Cuba Migration Talks

On Friday, February 19, 2010 the United States and Cuba met in Havana to discuss implementation of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords. This was the second such meeting since the decision to renew the Talks in 2009.  In the course of the meeting, the U.S. team, led by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Craig Kelly, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to promote safe, orderly, and legal migration.

The U.S. delegation separately raised the case of the U.S. citizen detained in Cuba on December 4 and called for his immediate release.

Engaging in these talks underscores our interest in pursuing constructive discussions with the government of Cuba to advance U.S. interests on issues of mutual concern.  The U.S. delegation highlighted areas of successful cooperation in migration, while also identifying issues that have been obstacles to the full implementation of the Accords. The agenda for the talks reflected longstanding U.S. priorities on Cuba migration issues, including: ensuring that the U.S. Interests Section in Havana is able to operate fully and effectively; ensuring that the U.S. Interests Section in Havana is able to monitor the welfare of repatriated migrants; and gaining Cuban government acceptance for the repatriation of all Cuban nationals who are excludable on criminal grounds.

The United States views these talks as an avenue to achieve practical, positive results that contribute to the full implementation of the Accords and to the safety of citizens of both countries.

DECLARACIÓN A LA PRENSA DE LA DELEGACIÓN CUBANA A LA RONDA DE CONVERSACIONES MIGRATORIAS CON LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS

La Habana, 19 de febrero de 2010

El 19 de febrero de 2010, se celebró una nueva ronda de conversaciones migratorias entre los Gobiernos de los Estados Unidos y Cuba. La delegación norteamericana estuvo presidida por Craig Kelly, subsecretario asistente principal para asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental del Departamento de Estado y la delegación cubana fue encabezada por Dagoberto Rodríguez, viceministro de Relaciones Exteriores.

La reunión se desarrolló en un ambiente respetuoso. Ambas delegaciones evaluaron el comportamiento de los acuerdos migratorios vigentes entre los dos países. También discutieron aspectos contenidos en el nuevo proyecto de acuerdo migratorio, presentado por Cuba en la ronda celebrada en julio del 2009, en Nueva York, con el objetivo de garantizar una emigración legal, segura y ordenada entre los dos países y cooperar de forma más efectiva en el enfrentamiento al tráfico ilícito de personas.

La delegación cubana reiteró en este encuentro la solicitud de autorización de nuevas plazas en la Sección de Intereses de Cuba en Washington para optimizar los servicios consulares que se prestan a los ciudadanos cubanos residentes en los Estados Unidos.

El viceministro Dagoberto Rodríguez ratificó el compromiso inequívoco de Cuba con el cumplimiento de los acuerdos migratorios vigentes entre los dos países y declaró: “La reunión reafirmó la importancia y utilidad de este mecanismo”.

El Viceministro cubano reafirmó que Cuba cumple rigurosamente con la letra y el esp ritu de los acuerdos migratorios. Sin embargo, reiteró la permanente preocupación de Cuba de que no podrá garantizarse una emigración legal, segura y ordenada, como establecen los acuerdos migratorios, mientras en los Estados Unidos continúen aplicándose la Ley de Ajuste Cubano y la política de pies secos-pies mojados, que constituyen el principal estímulo a las salidas ilegales y el tráfico de personas, al ofrecer un tratamiento preferencial a los cubanos que arriban ilegalmente al territorio norteamericano, sin reparar en las formas y medios utilizados para lograrlo.

La delegación cubana expresó la disposición de Cuba a mantener estos intercambios en el futuro.

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE CUBAN DELEGATION TO THE MIGRATION TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES

HAVANA, FEBRUARY 19, 2010.

On February 19, 2010, a new round of migration talks was held between the Governments of the United States and Cuba.  The US delegation was headed by Craig Kelly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; and the Cuban delegation was presided over by Dagoberto Rodríguez, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of respect.  Both delegations evaluated the evolution of the migration accords in force between the two countries.  They also discussed some of the aspects contained in the new draft migration accord submitted by Cuba during the round of talks held on July, 2009, in New York, aimed at ensuring a legal, safe and orderly migration between the two countries and a more effective cooperation to combat illegal alien smuggling.

In this new round of talks, the Cuban delegation reiterated the request so that the opening of new vacancies at the Interest Section of Cuba in Washington is authorized in order to optimize the consular services offered to Cuban citizens residing in the United States.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dagoberto Rodríguez ratified Cuba’s unequivocal commitment with the implementation of the migration accords in force between the two countries and further stated: “The meeting reaffirmed the importance and usefulness of this mechanism.”

 The Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister reaffirmed that Cuba is strictly complying with the letter and the spirit of the migration accords. However, he reiterated Cuba’s permanent concern that a legal, safe and orderly migration –as established in the migration accords- would not be achieved as long as the United States continues to implement the Cuban Adjustment Act and the wet foot/dry foot policy which encourage illegal departures and human smuggling, since they ensure a differential treatment to Cubans arriving illegally in U.S. territory, regardless of the ways and means used to accomplish this purpose.

 The Cuban delegation expressed Cuba’s willingness to continue having these exchanges in the future.

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