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US and Cuba meet for high-level talks as part of thaw US and Cuba meet for high-level talks as part of thaw
(about 9 hours later)
The US and Cuba are holding their highest-level talks in decades in the Cuban capital, Havana.The US and Cuba are holding their highest-level talks in decades in the Cuban capital, Havana.
The talks are part of a thaw in relations between the two rivals announced last month in simultaneous speeches by US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro. The two days of talks are part of a thaw in relations between the two rivals announced last month by US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro.
They come only hours after Mr Obama urged Congress to seize the chance to end the US trade embargo against Cuba. A US official described the first day as "productive and collaborative"
The talks will focus on migration and restoring full diplomatic ties. The talks, which are focusing on migration and restoring full diplomatic ties, resume on Thursday.
The US delegation is led by Roberta Jacobson, assistant secretary of state and the top US diplomat for Latin America. The last time someone of her level of seniority visited Cuba was 35 years ago.
Her deputy, Alex Lee, said: "The productive and collaborative nature of today's discussion proves that despite the clear differences that remain between our countries, the United States and Cuba can find opportunities to advance our mutually shared interests."
Cuban foreign ministry official Josefina Vidal criticised US migration policies but said Cuba aspired to have a normal relationship with the United States "in the broader sense but also in the area of migration".
'New era''New era'
The US delegation is led by Roberta Jacobson, the top US diplomat for Latin America. The last time someone of her level of seniority visited Cuba was 35 years ago. The talks came only hours after Mr Obama urged Congress to seize the chance to end the US trade embargo against Cuba.
BBC correspondent Barbara Plett Usher says the meetings feel like the beginning of a new era in relations between the two nations.BBC correspondent Barbara Plett Usher says the meetings feel like the beginning of a new era in relations between the two nations.
The US will be asking for an end to current restrictions on its diplomats so it can upgrade its interest section in Havana to a full embassy, she adds.The US will be asking for an end to current restrictions on its diplomats so it can upgrade its interest section in Havana to a full embassy, she adds.
Analysis: Will Grant, BBC News, HavanaAnalysis: Will Grant, BBC News, Havana
Both sides say the current talks are being conducted in a spirit of cooperation but while there is cautious optimism at this stage, officials are keen to manage expectations. Both sides say the current talks are being conducted in a spirit of co-operation but while there is cautious optimism at this stage, officials are keen to manage expectations.
The first day of talks on Wednesday focussed on the relatively straightforward issue of migration - a topic on which the two countries have a long history of cooperation, despite their political differences. The first day of talks on Wednesday focused on the relatively straightforward issue of migration - a topic on which the two countries have a long history of cooperation, despite their political differences.
When it comes to certain US migration policies towards Cuba, Havana says it has made its disagreements clear - in particular the so-called 'wet foot, dry foot' policy which gives Cubans preferential treatment in obtaining US citizenship.When it comes to certain US migration policies towards Cuba, Havana says it has made its disagreements clear - in particular the so-called 'wet foot, dry foot' policy which gives Cubans preferential treatment in obtaining US citizenship.
The Cuban government argues that the policy encourages illegal immigration of its people to the US, often using risky rafts to cross the Florida Straits.The Cuban government argues that the policy encourages illegal immigration of its people to the US, often using risky rafts to cross the Florida Straits.
But the more complex talks are scheduled for Thursday.But the more complex talks are scheduled for Thursday.
President Obama has urged Congress to fully lift the economic embargo on the island, something welcomed by Cuba. But there are questions about the speed and direction of change, as well as Washington's long-standing demands for greater freedoms and democracy on the communist island.President Obama has urged Congress to fully lift the economic embargo on the island, something welcomed by Cuba. But there are questions about the speed and direction of change, as well as Washington's long-standing demands for greater freedoms and democracy on the communist island.
The movement toward re-establishing diplomatic ties has begun, but full normalisation is still a long way off.The movement toward re-establishing diplomatic ties has begun, but full normalisation is still a long way off.
On Tuesday, President Obama stressed the importance of the thaw in US-Cuban relations in his State of the Union address to Congress.On Tuesday, President Obama stressed the importance of the thaw in US-Cuban relations in his State of the Union address to Congress.
He said his decision to engage with Cuba after decades of frozen relations had the potential to "end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere".He said his decision to engage with Cuba after decades of frozen relations had the potential to "end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere".
He also urged Congress to begin work on ending the US trade embargo against Cuba, which has been in force for more than five decades.He also urged Congress to begin work on ending the US trade embargo against Cuba, which has been in force for more than five decades.
"In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date. When what you're doing doesn't work for 50 years, it's time to try something new," he said."In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date. When what you're doing doesn't work for 50 years, it's time to try something new," he said.
The president said the shift in his administration's Cuba policy removed "a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people".The president said the shift in his administration's Cuba policy removed "a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people".
However, President Obama does not have the power to lift the embargo, only Congress can do that and correspondents say many Republicans are still deeply opposed to this.However, President Obama does not have the power to lift the embargo, only Congress can do that and correspondents say many Republicans are still deeply opposed to this.
Listening to Mr Obama was Alan Gross, the US contractor whose release on 17 December after five years in a Cuban jail was a key part of the deal agreed by Cuba and the US.
Mr Gross was among the guests invited by First Lady Michelle Obama.
In a reflection of the divided views among US politicians on relations with Cuba, Republican House Speaker John Boehner invited Cuban dissident Jorge Luis Garcia Perez.
Mr Garcia Perez, who was held for 17 years in a Cuban prison. has called President Obama's move a "betrayal" that leaves the island's opposition "defenceless".