This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8369428.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama responds to Cuban blogger Obama engages with Cuba blogger
(about 3 hours later)
US President Barack Obama has replied to questions from dissident Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez about future US-Cuban relations. US President Barack Obama has engaged in an unprecedented written exchange with a blogger in Cuba who is openly critical of its communist government.
His comments came after prize-winning blogger Yoani Sanchez sent questions chiefly about US-Cuba relations.
Mr Obama said in one of the responses he wanted better ties, but indicated it was up to Cuba to act.
Ms Sanchez, 34, has also sent questions to Cuban President Raul Castro, but has not received a reply so far.
The White House confirmed the US president had written to Ms Sanchez.
Asked if he was prepared to hold direct talks with Cuba, the US president said he was not interested in "talking for the sake of talking".Asked if he was prepared to hold direct talks with Cuba, the US president said he was not interested in "talking for the sake of talking".
And he said it was up to Cuba to act if it wanted to normalise relations. He said he wanted "direct diplomacy" with Cuba.
President Obama's replies are published on the latest edition of the award-winning blog, Generacion Y. "The United States has no intention of using military force in Cuba... Only the Cuban people can bring about positive change in Cuba and it is our hope that they will soon be able to exercise their full potential."
Mr Obama said the US had no intention of using military force against Cuba, and that change on the island was up to the Cuban people.
'Repressive system''Repressive system'
Ms Sanchez's blog on the trials and tribulations of everyday Cuban life has won several major international journalism awards. Ms Sanchez's Generation Y blog on the trials and tribulations of everyday Cuban life has won several major international journalism awards.
But the BBC correspondent in Havana says that recently, her postings appear to have become more political. But the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana says that recently, her postings appear to have become more political.
Last week she claimed she had been briefly detained and beaten by members of the state security forces, which prompted a letter of concern from the US state department.Last week she claimed she had been briefly detained and beaten by members of the state security forces, which prompted a letter of concern from the US state department.
In a report released this week, Human Rights Watch accused Cuban leader Raul Castro of perpetuating the repressive system of his brother Fidel. In a report released this week, Human Rights Watch accused President Raul Castro of perpetuating the repressive system of his brother Fidel.
The report said the authorities relied on a law which allows the state to jail people even before they commit a crime.The report said the authorities relied on a law which allows the state to jail people even before they commit a crime.
It documented more than 40 cases where individuals had been jailed for "dangerousness" for staging peaceful protests or organising independent trade unions. It documented more than 40 cases where individuals had been jailed for "dangerousness" for such activities as staging peaceful protests or organising independent trade unions.