US needs to make 'gestures,' not Cuba: Raul Castro

Washington, Apr.30 (ANI): Cuban strongman Raul Castro has said that it is the United States that needs to come forward with gestures to show that it is keen on improving relations with Cuba.

Echoing his ailing older brother Fidel, the Daily News quoted Cuban President Raul Castro as saying: "Cuba has not imposed sanctions against the U.S." and "therefore it is not Cuba that has to make gestures."

At a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Havana, Castro brushed off President Obama's easing of travel and money transfers by Cuban-Americans to the island as "fine, positive but [they] only achieved the minimum."

Obama and Clinton have said they expected "signals" from Cuba, including the release of political prisoners, before beginning a dialogue on improving ties.

Castro said: "We are willing to talk about everything with the United States, in equality of conditions, but not to negotiate our sovereignty, nor our political and social system, the right to self-determination, nor our internal affairs."

"Look, we're interested in a dialogue with Cuba. But I think the international community wants to see some steps, from Havana, to see, to gauge, how serious the government there is," said State Department spokesman Robert Wood. (ANI)