i have to say happy holiday season to all of you. today is the first day of hanukkah. hanukkaht is the best i will be celebrating for a long time. what a blessing it is to be a citizen of this country and thank you, president obama, for everything you have done. today and leading up to today. to acknowledge the extraordinary determined efforts of my wife, judy. 44 and a half years we have been married. my lawyer and personal moses, scott gilbert. to restore myrts freedom. they have my endless gratitude, love and respect.

the relentless and often intense efforts by judy and scott, the partners and associates and staff of gilbert llp law firm, that is where we are right now, they made me take the jacket off. kim reeser of capitol hill -- their efforts have been inconceivable. senator patrick leahy of vermont has been instrumental in shepherding the arrival of this day. i want to thank members of congress from all sides of the aisle. senators chris van hollen, barbara lee, and numerous others who spoke up or visited me, subjected themselves to my ranting and helped me regain some of my weight.

even in cuba, eminem's melt in your mouth, not in your hand. to those of you who were unable to visit, thank you for trying. i'm at your service as soon as i get some new teeth. i hope being they will be strong enough to make a difference. to the washington jewish inmunity, ron howard particular and his staff at the jewish community relations council, all the executive ,irector staff and volunteers federations, synagogues, schools, and other jewish, christian, and muslim organizations nationwide, god bless you and thank you. survivalucial to my knowing i was not forgotten. your prayers and actions have been comforting, reassuring, and sustaining. family,tended especially my sister bonnie, my

cousins and friends, howard, others whoany exemplify the true meaning of friendship, thank you. i do understand there are many others who actively participated in securing my freedom, of whom i'm only nominally aware of at this juncture. i promise i will express a more direct and personal gratitude as soon as i know who you are stop to ultimately, the decision arrange for and secure my release was made in the oval office. the nscdent obama and staff. thank you. in my last letter to president obama, iris that despite my five year tenure in captivity, i would not want to trade places with him and i certainly would not want to trade places with him on this glorious day.

five years of isolation notwithstanding, i did not need daily briefings to be cognizant of what our and out of lee -- undoubtedly incredible challenges facing our nation and community. i also feel compared -- compelled to share with you my utmost respect for an fondness for the people of cuba. are they responsible for the ordeal for which my family and i have ensued ducted. me, q bono's, at least most of them, are incredibly kind, generous and talented. it pains me to see them treated so unjustly as a consequence of two governments mutually belligerent policies. five and half decades of history show us that such belligerent inhibits better judgment. two wrongs never make a right.

i truly hope we can get beyond these mutually belligerent happy toand i was very hear with the president had to say today. cool to beicularly sitting next to the secretary of state as he was hearing about his job description for the next couple of months. in all seriousness, this is a game changer which i fully support. asked -- itime, i ask you respect my wishes for complete and total privacy. a judicious lesson i have learned from this experience is that freedom is not free. that is personified by scott and our entire team. twoust never forget the 'covenant --oses freedom and responsibility.

i incredibly blessed to finally have the freedom to resume a positive and constructive life. from now, i will close with a quote from one of nelson demille path characters. it's good to be home. thank you and i wish you all a happy holiday season. >> what are your wishes for u.s. cuban relations now? >> thanks, everybody. support the president. thank you very much. >> happy hanukkah. >> happy hanukkah. >> allen gross, speaking to reporters in the nation's capital after being held prisoner in cuba for five years, released today in a swap with the cubans for five cuban prisoners. news from the administration they will be seeking to normalize relations with cuba. we are continuing to open our phone lines to find out your

thoughts on normalizing relations with cuba. if you oppose that or support that, if us a call. for cuban-americans, there is a special line. we will look for your comments at facebook and on c-span. comments from members of congress and a couple of members of congress escorted him act from cuba to joint base andrews just outside the nations capital. leahyvan hollen, patrick and jeff flake. we will show that to you in just a couple of minutes, but let's get to your calls first. to leslie in burlington north carolina, who opposes the move. burlington, are you there? >> can you hear me? >> we have you.

i'm sorry. you are one of my favorite people on c-span. i am of two minds, but what i don't like is the fact that the president didn't congresstry to include in this in any way. i suppose it would have caused too much of an uproar, but i will say this man if he did lose 100 pounds in prison needed to. he will live longer because of it. the second thing i want everyone to know is cuban people, their men on wage is 19 u.s. dollars a month. if they work for a canadian or italianrman hotel hotel, just remember everybody out there that u.s. is the only one that doesn't have normal relations with u.s.. they have influence from canadians, germans, italians, from almost every other country

on earth and they still have not changed. $19 and don't even get the actual dollars. the government gets the dollars and gives them $19 equivalent in peoplewn currency, so down there are four and i don't know what this is going to change about that. but i'm very glad this man is home and i am of two minds. think it is not good the president did what he did alone. see both sides. i am not a cuban-american, but i am someone who wants even people to have a better standard of living. hear a bit more about what the changing of relations will be like as we hear from secretary kerry this afternoon. we will have that life for you here on c-span and on c-span radio.

knoxville, tennessee, go ahead. >> i just want to say i support the president's actions to begin this relationship building, but i disagree with how he did it. i disagree that he believes he will have an influence, namely because the government, like marco rubio spoke about, is so oppressive. believe his actions will do anything to change positively. basically, i agree with marco rubio, who is very knowledgeable about this topic. i had a great experience dealing miamiome young men from who are also of cuban-american howent and they vocalized the cuban government is so oppressive and how these people raft across the gulf of mexico

to reach our shores. is a greatt indicator of how oppressive this government is, that these people are willing to risk that to come over here, for the stories. >> senator marco rubio spoke earlier to reporters will stop we will show that to you in a bit. this evening at 8:00, we will show you all of today's coverage beginning with president obama's statement on the change in relations between the u.s. and cuba. saysis from charles who good for our president -- i despise communism but opening up an embassy may lead to a new birth of freedom for cuba. the action regarding cuba is a political ploy to degrade the new senate and congress when they defend the change. reaction from maryland senator, barbara and -- barbara mikulski. --

the outgoing governor of maryland -- tim scott, south carolina republican, not in favor of the move. back to calls -- this is christina in st. louis, missouri. welcome. thank you for having me. i would just like to say that unitarian efforts of releasing an american, which is really great for an american's , there are also efforts happening for the cubans in cuba. there is no change there and i think it is important to have this relationship with cuba and build a relationship, but we have to do it in such a way that

is going to be effective. right now, obama is getting played by the castro's and it is very clear. we need to have people who are educated in this situation having these conversations and we want to push for that and i want to push for people to set aside their parties and look at the policy issues. there is a reason why politics have changed, and there is a reason for that. obama needs to open his eyes and see why that change hasn't happened. if he does not want to make the change for the better, get a team together that's going to help pushing this movement forward and not get played by the castro's will stop >> thank you. do you think the administration should do here? thank you for taking my call. i have listened to c-span and i

have been trying to get on for quite some time. i've noticed every republican that gets on there is always talking about what he is going dodo and what he shouldn't -- whatever obama does is for the better of the country. marco rubio has been a cuban all his life, but he comes here and he is a senator, but he has done nothing for his people since he has been here, not a thing. if -- everyi think time one republican says one thing, all of them agree and everybody says no. they have forgotten what it is like to say yes to certain things obama has done for this country. thank you very much. >> raphael is in san bernardino, california. what do you think of the president us announcement today? it's wrong and i don't think

he should be dealing with murderers. i don't know how he could get the state of mind that he is going to get the same from the murderers who murder people. i am against it and i hope it changes. >> let's hear perspective from st. petersburg. >> i am very grateful for president obama to finally do something. old.69 years i left here in 1961. i have seen this embarq go, whatever you want to call it, not do anything for cuba. marco rubio has done nothing for cuba either.

or enforcing and embargo. >> we will take you live to the white house. josh earnest has just started his briefing there. we will certainly hear more questions. live coverage here on c-span. i there is not a whole lot can share about this. a high-priority intelligence asset has been in cuban custody for nearly 20 years now and is now on american soil. you he provided valuable intelligence and valuable counter intelligence and he did provide information about americans who were sharing information with the cuban regime. because of his efforts and

because of information he shared, it led to the discovery and conviction of a couple of these americans who were spying for the cubans. we also know he provided valuable intelligence to help us uncover and the loss network that was essentially a cuban run intelligence network in southern florida. the kind of spy swap that was executed today, essentially trading some members of the lost network in exchange for this highly valued intelligence asset in cuba is consistent with the kind of spy swap that have been executed by many presidents not just over decades but over centuries. we arecertainly pleased able to bring that highly valued intelligence asset, and individual who is a legitimate euro, to american soil.

[inaudible] >> i'm not in a position to provide a lot of clarity about the trend -- about the clandestine efforts. >> can you talk about the relationship with the departure from usaid and this information to open up relations with cuba? >> there is no relations at all. i know that administrator shah has served this administration for nearly five years now in his role as administrator of usaid. he is a very talented young man who has had an opportunity to use his expertise in medicine and in his background in to run that agency and take on significant responsibilities. in terms ofwe had making a contribution to the efforts after the haiti

earthquake after putting personnel on the ground to try to stop this evil outbreak in its tracks in west africa, he a tenure at over usaid that has been remarkably challenging, but he has been remarkably effective, and we're certainly incredibly grateful for his service. i understand the transition has been in the works for quite some time now. government the cuban has not been happy with the usaid programs in cuba and the uxtaposition of the two -- >> that's why i'm trying to make clear exactly what is happening. the usaid programs that have drawn the criticism of the cuban regime will continue even after dr. shaw transitions out of his current job. president envision a

visit to havana? >> the president did hint there would be senior government officials who would carry out the kind of work that is indicative of two nations seeking to normalize relations. i would not rule out a presidential visit. >> he would like to go? ask i assume, like many cuba is a he has seen place with a beautiful climate and they have lots of things to do. there is a lot of opportunity for him to visit and i'm sure he would not turn that down. next one of the points senator the white is that house has conceded everything but gained very little. what has the white house gained from this deal? >> that is something we have long sought. he was held unjustifiably by the cubans for more than five years.

his release is long overdue and the cubanssed to see have granted him his humanitarian release will stop the second thing is, we have secured an agreement to essentially swap spies and we recovered a highly valued intelligence asset, probably the most highly valued intelligence asset on cuban soil and that individual is now on american soil. what we have also done is we have removed what had previously been the chief impediment of our ability to implement the kind of changes and reforms in our policy clearly in the best interest of the country. gross has been returned, we can better orient our foreign policy and our policy toward cuba in a way that better reflects our values and empowers the cuban people, that will expand economic opportunity for american businesses.

we are certainly pleased with the progress we have made here. arepresident is pleased we not going to see the kind of changes we will see overnight, but after more than five decades of a policy in place that did not appear to lead to any changes at all in our favor, we about theptimistic new strategy we are putting in place that will better serve american interests, that will better empower the cuban people cubaeek to engage qubit -- in a way that will no longer allow our failed policy against you but to be such a distraction. some of you have traveled with the president to the previous summit of the america conferences will stop this is often a contentious debate held in the context of these summits, whether the united states has the right policy on cuba. we hope to foster a greater

debate about whether the cuban government has the right policy when it comes to their people and whether they can get away with trampling the basic human and political rights the united states has long championed. to thatforward opportunity. >> there are no guarantees this will result in cuba of making political or economic reform? >> we have seen cuba make preliminary steps toward economic reform. you have seen steps from the american farm bureau thomas the chamber of commerce indicating they are optimistic that changes the president announced today will lead to substantial economic reforms. that will not just be good for the united states, it will be good for the people of cuba and empower the people of cuba. athink that is what you call when/win. >> this is all temporary. if you don't get rid of the travel ban while president obama

is in office, a future republican president can come in and close the embassy and put these travel restrictions back in place? >> i guess as a legal matter, that is true. i suspect, however, it's hard to imagine anyone is going to campaign for this office i that policy we had in place for more than five decades and didn't do anything? we should do that. >> jeb bush says he is against this policy shift. >> i recognize that maybe popular with some very committed individuals who do have a principled view on this. i certainly respect their views that i do think any cold eyed of theent of the success policy that has been in place to isolate cuba would acknowledge that policy did not succeed.

since that policy has been in place, castro regime has remained in place. the castro regime has trampled the rights of the people and there are plenty of reasons to believe the kinds of changes the president announced today will lead to the kinds of economic that will beforms good for the people of cuba and be good for the united states of america. >> t think he can get the embargo lifted by the time he leaves office? >> that will require some work and we will have to see. >> i want to ask about the outgoing senate foreign relations committee chairman, bob menendez. he has been a fierce opponent of these kinds of changes and a big supporter of the embargo. did his departure or soon to be departure from that position have anything to do with the timing of this announcement?

>> the only impact on timing was the humanitarian release of esther gross. this is a policy change this administration has long sought. after securing the release of mr. gross am a we were able to remove the impediment this president believes is more consistent with our broader national security priorities and more consistent with a policy focused on expanding economic opportunities. >> can you talk at all about the conversation is president had -- >> i do know while mr. gross was on the airplane, the president had an opportunity -- mr. gross had an opportunity to take a call from the president. i know the president was very pleased he had the opportunity to speak with mr. gross and as i the president is very pleased to welcome him. >> are you worried americans may

get the wrong idea about what you have announced today? with the embargo in place, america cannot go and book a flight to havana or go to the cigar shop down the street and buy cuban cigars. there are all of these cumbersome restrictions in place. by and large, how much is changed really that americans can see and feel besides the opening of an embassy in a building that is already there? will do is this represents a fundamental shift in american foreign policy, one from isolation that for more than five decades has failed to yield any tangible result that benefits american national security interests. presidente policy the has announced, we will see greater economic engagement between the united states and cuba. this seems like as good a time as any to read from the statement issued by the united

states chamber of commerce. they believe it will have a tangible impact on the way the american people will feel. business community welcomes the announcement and welcomes the provisions the president touched on in his remarks. we deeply believe in open dialogue and commercial exchange the cuban private sectors of the steps announced today will go a long way in allowing free enterprise to flourish. that's an indication there is a clear economic benefit associated with the policy decision the president announced today. the other strategic objective is no longer will the u.s. policy toward cuba serve as a distraction with communities -- countries throughout the western hemisphere. theseen, when we go to events and engage in dialogue with other countries, they say let's talk about your policy toward cuba. now we can go to them and say policyalk about your

toward cuba and the policy of the cuban government toward their own people and that better serves our objective. it should be about engagement and openness and that is more likely to lead to the kind of strategic accomplishments the president believes serves our national interest. we are going to continue to use this openness and engagement to focus pressure on the castro regime to live up to, if not respect the fundamental human rights this country has long championed. youwo questions -- can elaborate on the telecommunications and internet changes and progress the united states has worked out? i ask that in particular because we know in china, for instance,

there's an effort to block that for the people in china and i wonder what is the president's understanding of what the cuban ?eople will have access to >> i think as a general matter, this is consistent with the kind of strategy the president is pursuing. we want to pursue more openness and by facilitating that do principally one thing, which is empower the cuban people. for so long, this policy of isolation has been in place for has than five decades and only added to the burden the cuban people have had to bear. by making these kinds of changes and allowing for more u.s. telecommunications at quitman to be sold and put into use in cuba, we can give the cuban people more access to information in a way that will empower them to have potentially more say on the economy and on

their government. that is certainly consistent with this philosophy that our policy of isolation has failed. it's time to pursue a policy of openness and engagement. >> the second question about americans who may be imprisoned around the world -- do you have a status report of how many americans of whatever disposition or work are in prison currently around the world and whether the president is doing everything to try to release as many of them as i referred to the state department for any sort of list. the president, i think on a number of occasions has demonstrated his commitment and density to securing the release of americans who are unjustifiably detained overseas. >> the president today with talking about using exports.

how much authority does the in ministration have to use import and export and? >> the president did take steps today to ease restrictions on exports and there are substantial steps the president can take using his executive authority to relax some of the restrictions in place in a way that would facilitate greater greater economic activity between the united states and cuba. wouldtails, i think i refer you to the treasury department. >> he's going to pursue legislation? doneat the president has is used all the executive authority he has to try to take away some of these restrictions. some of them remain in place. believe congress should take the necessary actions to

remove those restrictions and facilitate the kind of openness and engagement we believe will progress inter terms of advancing american security priorities. >> how soon can we start to see some of these export restrictions lifted? the president is certainly eager to see these changes be put into place. i would refer you to treasury and commerce who can walk you through the details. >> when the new congress convenes, they said there's no real understanding as to what changes the cuban government is prepared to make. what is this administration's understanding of the commitment the cuban government is compared to make in reaction to anything involving this administration? >> they have made big commitments to do three things.

over the course of five decades they have been reluctant to do it. the cuban government, at the urging of the united states, did release more than 50 political prisoners. somehave been released and will be released in coming days and that is certainly a welcome element. these are names provided by the we urge themnt and to be released and that is what they did. this is what alexis referred to -- they agreed to allow the import and installation and use of american communications equipment that would give the cuban people access to more information. we saw the cuban government commit to greater engagement with the united nations and the committee of the red cross. multilateral organizations that champion the kind of values we have been urging the castro regime to respect for some time.

when we are evaluating the success of these efforts, these are three things the castro regime has committed to that after 50 years, they are refusing to do so. nothose would say there are commissions -- committing to a free press -- you would say what? i would say there's no evidence they were more likely to do those things after the 53 years or so this embargo has been in place. we think putting in place a policy that allows more engagement and that empowers the cuban people, there will be more brought to bear to force them to better respect the basic rights of their people. >> you alluded to the possibility somewhat humorously cuba, president going to but he would not go there now what the political repression that exists in cuba. he would not want to go here

under these circumstances, would he? >> keep in mind a few months ago, we were in beijing. it is not unprecedented for us to go places and interact with -- withs hit with him whom we have fundamental disagreements about their treatment of citizens. in day after we were beijing, we traveled to burma, a country that does not have a stellar record when it comes to respecting basic political or human rights. leadership of those countries for a variety of reasons. oftentimes it serves our national security efforts to do so but is also consistent with the president's view that by engaging with the people of these countries, we can facilitate more respect for basic human rights. >> the most recent congressional dramatically intensified a trade embargo and placed them at

tatian's on foreign countries interacting with cuba. president clinton signed that into law. >> it is my understanding that what it actually did was it took some of the executive actions that have been taken toward putting restrictions on trade and travel and codifying them statutorily. that's a part of what leads us to the need for congress to take action to repeal some of those restrictions. know there have been some consultations with former president clinton, but i have not seen a statement he has put out on this yet. i am often reluctant to talk about specific number stations that take place.

i am not going to confirm those kinds of conversations but i know there have been conversations between the white house and president clinton on these issues. reversing some things he has signed into law? changing a welcome policy which did not yield results beneficial to our national security. theelieve it will empower human people and expand businesses were farmers and better serve the national security interest of the united states of america. >> you said the policy of putting economic pressure on failedd isolating cuba to change bad behavior and the policy of openness will have a better process in changing bad

behavior. the policy in place for five decades to not yield any tangible change. >> explain why you think a policy of economic pressure and isolation toward russia would change russia's bad behavior when you say that very approach to cuba has already failed? >> this is a timely discussion, so i'm pleased we are going to have time to talk about it. here is what i think is the principal difference. for two days in a row, going to violate a core principle about comparing our policies as it relates to different countries and different situations, but this serves as a useful illustration. in talking about the sanctions regime both against russia and said the success of that regime is dependent on our ability to work with our heart and her's and allies around the globe to implement the regime in a coordinated --

and to maximize the pressure on those countries. what we saw is the pressure placed on the iranian economy did yield some political pressure that has changed the perspective of the iranian regime as it relates to their willingness to have a discussion about their nuclear program. when it comes to russia, we acted in a coordinated fashion with countries in western europe to apply pressure to russia and their economy. effect of the weakening the russian economy, the kinds ofielded changes in the decision-making by a russian president we would like to see. i think it is worth mentioning that those regimes sanctions have been in place for less than a year. certainly a lot less than 53

years. -- here is pressure the principal. the sanctions regime we have had in place against cuba is unilateral. we are the only country in the world and has that kind of sanctions is the -- sanction regime. >> this is -- the key to our success in iran and russia, and i'm saying this for the first time today -- this is a case we have been making for some time. the success of been predicated on our ability to work in a coordinated fashion with the community to maximize the impact of that sanctions regime. the rest of the world's on the other side of this issue. criticize our policy against cuba and it interferes with our ability to bring to bear pressure from the rest of the community on the castro regime to better respect human rights in cuba.

there's a stark difference in the way these policies were implemented, and that is why we believe a fundamental strategy changes necessary. >> could i get you to respond to , therobert menendez current chairman of the senate foreign relations committee said about this action? he said this action vindicates the brutal behavior of the cuban government will stop trading mr. gross for three convicted criminals is an extremely dangerous precedent and uses u.s. citizens as bargaining ships and puts american serving overseas in danger. what is your response to senator menendez? >> here at the white house, we have tremendous respect for senator menendez. he's the chairman of the foreign relations committee and we have worked with him to implement the sanctions regime on russia that has been useful in advancing our

national security interest. we have succeeded in working with chairman menendez on a range of issues. but in this situation, we fundamentally disagree and there is no soft peddling that. there is one actual disagreement that should be pointed out here. mr. gross was released on humanitarian grounds. for years, the cuban regime has suggested mr. gross could be released in exchange for the release of cuban prisoners and that proposal was summarily rejected by this administration. that is an agreement we would have agreed to years ago. mr. gross was released on you manchurian grounds at the request of this administration and the spy swap executed between the united states and cuba did secure the release of this intelligent asset that is now on american soil. next you are not going to stand there and say allen gross's release had nothing to do with

the release of the same time of .he three convicted cuban spies >> i am telling you that allen gross's release on you manchurian grounds is something this administration insisted upon. once that was reached, it opened the door for an -- were additional agreements to be reached. ofremoving the impediment the unjust attention, we can engage in a conversation at the spy swap. >> is it a coincidence? .> it is not a clinton's allen can you say -- gross is released and three spies are released. i understand you have a cuban working with u.s. intelligence as part of the same package, but you cannot say the allen gross release is unrelated to the release of the spies. >> yes, i can. the reason for that is very simple. the agreement on a spy swap

would not be reached and was not reached without the standalone agreement to release the strip gross on humanitarian grounds. something?issing >> as you know, these conversations between the united states and cuba were underway for more than year between senior officials here in this administration and senior cuban officials. all along, the fundamental impediment to implement the kinds of changes we would like to see has been the unjust attention of mr. gross. once the cubans agreed to release him on humanitarian grounds, we could have conversations about the other agreements that were reached. the other agreement was this specific spy swap between the inee cubans held in florida the highly valued intelligence asset that has been held in cuba for almost 20 years but is now on american soil. thing on the sony

hacking. does the u.s. government have reason to believe that in fact north korea was responsible? >> i am not in a position to ascribe any responsibility to the apparent hacking of the e-mail system at sony. if we do have evidence it was north korea, would there be repercussions for the united states? >> i would not want to speculate at this point. this is under investigation from the federal bureau of --estigation will stop federal bureau of investigation. would you open it up and put more pressure on it and maybe they would change their behavior? >> no. >> on the question of the timing of all of this, will you at least acknowledge that allen

gross'release was coordinated. did they discuss this, maybe in separate sentences? >> they discussed a wide range of things. they spent a lot of time talking about policies in the western hemisphere and you can be assured the president did talk about how important it was for wasmerican citizen who being held unjustifiably by the cuban regime that it's important that individual be released on humanitarian grounds. on the other question of what kind of president this sets will stop what marco rubio others are charging is that this puts a ande on american hostages gives rogue regimes the idea that they can get concessions out of the president if they take someone hostage.

>> there was no concession. he was released on humanitarian grounds and that is what the cuban regime followed through on. we have talkedn about isis and the tragic beheadings, you have repeatedly said the american government will not pay ransom because that just encourages people to pay -- to take more people ransom. as part of the same deal, the u.s. made concessions. the case. just not mr. gross was released on humanitarian grounds at the end -- at the assist -- at the insistence of this administration. you have heard us talk about this in other contexts -- when there are americans unjustifiably held overseas, we call for their release as well. >> months ago, you promised there was a review going on of andseparate prisoner swap

we have asked you about that before and you've said the pentagon is looking at us. there's a swap here with spies. a publiciting for accounting. when will that be released? there are charges that you broke the law and not fully inform congress. >> that is not part of the review -- i recognize that the charge from some who disagreed with that decision. there is a basic fundamental value at stake -- the commander-in-chief is not a position where we did not work to secure the release of one of our men or women in need of to bring them home. we are not going to leave that man behind. fromransfer of detainees guantanamo bay was certified by the secretary of defense consistent with the law. i recognize there's a difference of opinion, but that is what it is. the review as related to the

disappearance of sergeant burdock -- sergeant burdock in -- we believee that agreement was entirely consistent with a fundamental american value, which is that we leave no man behind. you have highlighted the pivotal role the pope eight at he vatican -- >> i don't believe he had an opportunity to speak to the pope. president received a personal letter from the hope and high-level officials convened at least one discussion with their cuban auto-parts in the vatican in a meeting hosted by members of the pope's team. i don't believe the pope was involved in his conversations, host ofvatican was the

those conversations and we welcome their participation in these conversations and the degree to which the pope and his team facilitated this reconciliation is one we appreciate. [inaudible] i don't have any specific conversations with the pope to read out, but yes, there were senior members of the catholic church that were aware of what was going on here. >> when president obama spoke with president castro yesterday, can you tell us what time that conversation happened? >> i believe it was during the day, but i don't have a specific time frame. >> were there any specific assurances given that he would take steps toward, credit reform like freedom of the press or any other specific guarantees?

he did announce a few things or inform the president of a few things. he informed the president he intended, his government intended to release 50 political prisoners. >> in addition to what was announced today -- i'm going to continue to take steps to democratize cuba? >> you have to talk to him to read out his aspect of a conversation. there were three specific commitments and if there's more they want to share, they can do so. you can be sure the president continued to impress upon president castro that it continued to be an american priority and the priority of the western hemisphere that his government do more to protect and advance the basic, fundamental human rights of the cuban people. >> does president obama trust president castro? >> this is not a matter of trust.

this is a matter running in place policy the president believes is in the best interest of our country and national security and will succeed in empowering the cuban people. that is the goal of this policy and it is a policy we are eager to put in place and a strategy consistent with our national security strategy and does not hinge on the trustworthiness of the cuban leader. does president obama have confidence there will be continued reform in cuba and if so some a wide? -- if so, why? >> the policies we have announced today will do more to pressure the castro regime and respect and advance the basic kinds of human rights that for more than five decades and are the old policy they repeatedly ignored. you don't see the regime taking steps toward that end? seen thee already cuban regime take more steps in

the last day than they have in the last 50 years under the old expandingterms of access for the cuban people and coordinating with the united nations and the red cross and in terms of releasing political prisoners. >> does the president have any recourse? >> we have a policy in place that will continue to empower the cuban people and remove the distraction of the failed u.s. policy in focus international attention on the policy of the cuban government as it relates to their own people. >> [inaudible] note today's ruling by the general court of the european union on the challenge by the terrorist organization, eu sanctions

listing. we are studying the opinion carefully and according to the wasement, the procedure based on procedural grounds and we understand the sanctions remain in effect pending the decision on whether to appeal. toare going to continue review the eu decision but what is clear is eu sanctions will remain in place. i can confirm the united states position has not changed. hamas has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization precisely because they continue to engage in terrorist activity and has demonstrated it intent during this summer's conflict with israel. it fired house and rockets into civilian areas and attempted to tell into israel. we will continue to work with the eu on a number of hamas related issues will stop >> but the decision was legal more than a political.

decision based on legal issues or just political issues? >> the eu decision was based on procedural grounds, so we will allow that procedure to run its course. i understand while that procedure is in place, the sanctions will remain in place. based entirely terrorist activities. we saw them use missiles to target innocent israeli citizens . we saw them use tunnels to carry out attacks against israeli civilians. these are the hallmarks of an organization committed to terrorism and has been is admitted as such by the u.s. >> -- u.s.will stop government. >> [inaudible]

>> for the full rundown on the rep sheet, i would refer you to the state department. certainly, the acts of terrorism hamas has committed israel certainly justify their labeling as a terrorist organization. >> [inaudible] >> i have not yet seen the details of the resolution they say they are prepared to table i ame united nations, so going to reserve any comment on that for now. i will tell you that it continues to be the policy of the united states that the preferred path to palestinian statehood is for the two parties, the israelis and negotiatens to

directly. work going to continue to to bring about a lasting peace between israelis and palestinians will stop the united states takes this position because it's clearly in the interests of the israeli and palestinian people for this to be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties will stop >> yesterday, [inaudible] >> the president did have the opportunity to visit with the archbishop. i don't have the details of that meeting, but to paraphrase major's suggestion, if you were to infer this might have been among the things they talked about because it's an issue that both the catholic church and president have strong feelings about, then i -- >> an update on the secret service. do you have any update on the

search for a new director or any changes being made? the report was due earlier this week. >> i anticipate the department of homeland security will have more information on that this [inaudible]op >> >> let's separate out two things -- the last part about the spy swap. mr. gross was released on humanitarian grounds. he was not exchanged for the release of any spies. mr. gross is not a spy, so it's not possible for him to be part of a spy swap. there was a separate agreement that was reached to exchange three cuban prisoners, spies being held on american soil for a u.s. intelligence asset being held by the castro regime for nearly 20 years.

that individual is now on american soil. as it relates to the initiation of these talks, the president wanted to begin conversations with the castro regime. >> thanks. the president on the question of whether -- you would need to see some performance on the part of the cuban regime before that happened. are we talking about a number of on reform? >> as i mentioned, it is not unprecedented for the president of the united states to travel to countries with whom we have theirs concerns about respect for basic human rights. for example, the president just last month traveled to china and burma to try to advance american interests.

in those conversations, the president brought up with leaders their failure to do as much as we think they should to protect and respect basic human rights, including political freedoms of their people. it is possible for the president to travel other countries, to represent the interest of the united states of america, even --n we have your is concerns have serious concerns about the rights in that country. presidential visit in 50 years. are there things you would need to see first before you could entertain that? >> at this point, i will not set up any sort of checklist that would be considered a precondition for a presidential visit. we may do that at a later date that i would note many countries do have at best checkered human rights records the president has visited. he did that in pursuit of core national security interests and used the opportunity to bring attention

to these issues. we have seen progress made by the cuban government just today. they announced the release of more than 50 prisoners. they agreed to allow the import of american communications equipment that will expand access to the internet and other information to the cuban people, and they agreed to engage with the united nations and the red cross, two organizations that serve to advance and champion the basic human rights we are talking about here. it does represent some progress, and certainly more than what we saw over the 50 years and policy. >> did you know who he was before, have the president heard of him? >> i do not know if the president has had the opportunity to call that individual. i was not aware of this individual. i am not a scholar of u.s.-cuban

relations. this is an individual whose existence was not previously widely known. -- individualsin who were previously engaged in our intelligent -- intelligence community who were aware of the value this individual made to american national security. that made him a valued intelligence asset and we are pleased he is now on american soil. i do not have any personal announcements at this time, but i will say it sounds like a pretty interesting job. [laughter] >> you mentioned this is an historic day. is it diminished somewhat by the continued existence of the facility of guantanamo bay? >> this islamic president continues to work doggedly to close. unfortunately, because of the

interference we have seen from congress, we have not been able to do what the president thinks is in the clear interests of the united states, which is to close the guantanamo bay. we continue to work, even in the face of obstacles from the congress, to achieve that goal. did the president discuss at , theith governor scott moves he was making? this issue affects the state so much question mark >> no, i do not believe he did. -- >> new york state banning fracking, and the all of the above energy strategy, what does the president think about large shale reserves spanning a policy that provides a lot of natural gas? ofi did see the announcement governor cuomo's policy before it came out there. a detailednder

announcement of that policy. in general, what i can save the president has placed a high priority in ensuring that fracking operations do not negatively affect the health and well-being of people who live in the area where the fracking is being conducted. >> you believe it should be where something is resolved on a state-by-state issue, or is it on thing that he supports a national policy? can you give me anything more? >> the president hasn't knowledge there is a role for state government and for federal environmental authorities to have on this. but again, a specific policy matter, i have not had the review government -- governor cuomo's policy and draw conclusions. >> generally going above and beyond what they think is appropriate. >> the president believes it is important for these fracking operations to be conducted in a way that does not undermine or threaten the health or

well-being of people who live in the areas. ok. >> i am treading into dangerous territory. a historical question. what would president obama say today to president kennedy, who initiated the embargoes 52 years ago? well, i am not sure what he would say. i do think that even president kennedy would acknowledge that after more than 50 years of the policy of isolation, didn't bring about the desired result, i think even president kennedy would acknowledge that change was needed and certainly, in public his career service, president kennedy was someone who did believe in the value of openness and engagement. and the value of empowering local populations to take

greater control over the economic and clinical situation. strike me that, while the president is changing a policy president kennedy originally put in place, that the philosophy the president is pursuing in the values the president is pursuing is entirely consistent with the kinds of values president kennedy championed throughout his life. >> thank you. >> thank you, josh. did the president reach out to any republicans he knew were sympathetic on this policy change beforehand? i refer specifically to dr. ron paul, whose position is identical to the cubanent, embargo, or his son, rand paul, who has yet to take a position on the embargo, or does he have to put out a statement on the policy change today? slice you will be asking him about that. as a general matter, the convened a number of

conversations over the last couple of days with democrats and republicans on capitol hill about the policy change. i can tell you there were democrats and republicans who with thesed anticipated announcement, and democrats and republicans on the other side of the issue as well. that is one of the things that makes this such an interesting policy to discuss. the viewpoints on this policy do not clean the breakdown along party lines. i will read one more statement before i go because i do not have the opportunity to do so before. not somebody who has a long track record of supporting policies put in place by the obama administration. but today, he's said the american farm bureau strongly supports president obama's move toward normalized relations with cuba. calledm bureau has long for the removal of trade restrictions from cuba and we believe expanded trade from the u.s. will be a cornerstone for

-- there is strong support for the kind of policy the president laid out. >> do you want to give us any of the names of republicans who were at the meetings? >> i do not have any of those details for you now. >> what was that? >> as the president's team sought to find a place to meet with cubans, we turn to our friends to the north in canada, and on another -- a number of occasions, they hosted private confidential meetings between senior members of the delegation and the cuban delegation. many of the conversations took place in canada. >> interesting. class a lot, everybody. have a good afternoon. >> thanks a lot, everybody. have a good afternoon. [captioning performed by the

national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] >> a conference today dominated by the news that they intend to open an embassy for the first time more than 50 years -- this after the release this -- the -- the release this morning of alan gross, held in prison for five years. shortly, we will hear from secretary of state john kerry. i want to remind you tonight, at 8:00, we will show you all of our coverage about the announcement today, beginning with president obama's noon announcement at the white house. all of that beginning at 8:00 eastern tonight here on the stand. we are standing by to take you for to the state department secretary kerry. congressman chris van hollen, who accompanied alan gross from cuba to the united states this morning.

>> good afternoon. i am here primarily to answer your questions. but before we do, i would like to note that the three of us cuba this morning and brought alan gross back with us. mrs. gross on the plane with us going down. we have each visited alan gross at different times in a prison in cuba. over the past several years, we watched his condition deteriorated. all three of us were very concerned and all three of us have spoken with the president about changing things. what is happened today is a positive step in many ways. first, a very positive thing for

alan gross to be back with his family, at a time when his health really requires it. cents, andn a longer i believe mr. gross would agree with this, it marks a step forward in relationships between our great country and cuba. thought members would go to the president of the saying, stay tough on cuba and the castles will come down any day now. kennedy,that president president johnson, president nixon, and you see where i am driving at. the fact is, cuba is still there. we ought to face up that we all have different -- differences, but that we can improve the life of cubans, and we can improve by lives of u.s. citizens

a closedthis idea of door to cuba, where we tell american citizens, any country in the world that will let you win, you can visit, except for cuba. things ina lot of areas of education, medicine, culture, art, that should unite us and not divide us. they do not have to adopt our system and we do not have to adopt there is. are 90 miless, we apart. start finding out ways to at least work through our differences and embrace our areas where we are alike. every business group would like that and every religious group would like that. the pope has spoken very strongly on this.

businesses in the united states have, and it is now time for us as well. >> thank you. as senator leahy said, each of us visited alan gross over the years. i was able to see him just a month ago in a prison in havana. at that time, he said "i hope this ordeal, the five-year ordeal, actually leads to something positive. today, when we got on the plane, i told him, when you look at what the president will announce here soon, you will see it has resulted in something very positive. i just want to say that for , these moves this that are being made today, i think that is the wrong way to look at it, simply wrong. the policies we have had in place for the past 50 years has to keepe in my view

castro regimes in power than anything we could have done. i am pleased to these actions have been taken. theink it will improve lives of ordinary cubans and is good for americans as well. some will say a cuban regime may now limit the travel of americans now that we are more able to travel, not freely, but in larger numbers. they may take measures, and they may. i have artie said, if somebody going to limit my travel, it should be a communist, and not my own government here. and it makes more sense for us to allow travel. it is what we do. it is what we do as americans. >> an incredibly emotional moment, as you might imagine, when we walked off the tarmac into the building at the airport in havana and saw alan gross,

who, i think, realized for the first time that after five years of effort, the moment had really .rrived, that he was going home as you have heard us say as together at the airplane and crossed the airspace, he put his hands up and gave a big corrupt. judy gross's life has been tireless for five years trying to bring her husband home. i had the honor of knowing alan before he was taken prisoner. judy and a whole group of people have been working hard for many years to try to make this day happen. but i want to emphasize what my colleagues have said, which is that alan gross is thrilled to be frayed. but alan gross, having spent five years in a cuban prison, also very much believes that the president's new policy of engagement will lead over time to engage men opportunity for the people of cuba.

because, as our senators have policy foryou try it 54 years, and it fails by the measure you set out, which is to try to open and reform cuban society and cuban government, when it fails for 54 years, it is time to say, that policy has failed, let's try a different policy. and i'm to believe that more engagement and more communication, more travel, more will lead to more engagement by the cuban people. and the people will worry about making cuba a little more free. people who want to expand opportunity in cuba will be strongly in favor of this engagement. 54 of failure, it survived over eight presidents. it clearly did not get us to where we want to

be. a new opportunity in bringing and also trying a new policy of engagement with cuba. >> foreign operations subcommittee. for opening the embassy in cuba -- what concerns -- >> we artie have an intersection in cuba. the horses out of the barn there. the fact is, everyone will say how they will speak. 535 members of congress. 100 in the senate. everybody has got to make up their mind how he or she wants to be. american, i as an would hate to think as an business orther on visiting or whatever, in another country, and something happens and i say, wait, i can always

call my american embassy and say, oh no, this is just about countries where we do not have an american embassy, sorry, you're on your own there it i do not think american businesses would like that. certainly, the businesses we spoke with would not like it. our academic -- going down there would not like it. but just as individual americans, -- it is beneath the united states of america. >> we will return to this, we take you live to secretary kerry. >> good afternoon, everybody. it is a great leisure for me to

welcome the prime minister from here to washington. i very much appreciate the to reciprocate the foreign's welcome to mate when i was there last summer. goodree we engaged in a dialogue in an ongoing basis which has been absent frankly for too long. and so, it was really good to be able to welcome him here today to continue the dialogue we began when i was in london. before we begin, it is important for me today to say a few words about the release of alan gross and the decision united states made today. be able to talk about alan after the unspeakable week ins of this past

sydney. every single one of us were really grateful to see alan home on american soil, to see him free and reunited with his emily, -- his family, to feel his family the joy is sharing today, and all the people in our country are sharing on their behalf. it could not be a better gift for the holiday season, and i had the privilege of meeting alan and his with wife, judy, shortly after he came back and shortly after i was able to return from my trip abroad. i want to say judy, who we have gotten to know here in the state department over the course of these months, years, has been extraordinary. alive thatt hope

today could be a reality. we are all overwhelmingly happy that alan is now free and reunited with his family and on american soil. kid when iyear-old first heard an american president talk about cuba as an prisons island. for 5.5 decades since, our policy towards cuba has remained virtually frozen, and has done little to promote a prosperous, democratic, and stable cuba. there is no other country in the world to which we have closed our lives for as long as we have closed them to cuba. law -- wall fell 25 years ago and the wall separating americans and cubans has yet to come down. has this policy failed to advance america'. . -- america''s goals.

the truth is, we have reached out to countries where our wounds were far deeper than they are with cuba. and actually far more recent than they are with cuba. beginning more than 20 years ago, i saw firsthand how re-presidents, one republican and two democrats, undertook a similar effort to change the united states's relationship with vietnam. it was not easy. .t still is not complete today but it has to start somewhere. make no mistake. it has worked. we made peace. we normalize relations. we even signed a trade deal with vietnam. anybody who has traveled there today will tell you how much that country has changed and is continuing to change. are there things yet to achieve?

of course. but we are dealing with a country in which thousands of americans died or the course of our lifetime. that is not the situation with cuba. today, we have a choice. change and resist it, or we can mold and channel it into a new set of his. 2009, when he first became president, president obama has taken steps forward to change our relationship and improve the lives of people of cuba by easing restrictions on remittances and on family travel opening, thes new president has committed the united states to begin to chart an even more ambitious course forward. in january, as part of the president's directive to discuss moving toward reestablishing diplomatic relations, assistant

secretary for western hemisphere willted jack's -- jacobson -- roberta jacobson will travel to cuba to lead the delegation for the next round of u.s.-cuba migration talk. i look forward, at the right time, to being the first secretary of state in fifth -- in 16 years to visit cuba. at president obama request, i also asked my team to initiate a review of cuba's designation of -- as a state sponsor of terrorism. in the months ahead, the critical focus of our increased engagement will continue to be improving the cuban government's respect for human rights and advocating for democratic reforms in cuba. the changes that president obama announced today will empower the cuban people to shape their own future here at -- future. -- for cuba to enjoy the

social freedoms we have spread throughout our atmosphere. active society will only help remediate cuba into the community. after more than 50 years of trying to isolate cuba, a policy that has obviously not worked, and has isolated us more than them, it is time to try working with the cuban people to build a better and different future. building a new future is exactly what brings us here today for the u.s. strategic dialogue. over the past months, i have spoken often about leadership, and in this moment, the promise and decision for all afghans. we had the african summit here in washington with leaders in more than 40 countries. all of these to help shape the

vision of the future. committed to making the most of this moment through this very important role as leader in the region, particularly on these issues. i was very encouraged today by the depth of our discussion. the prime minister did not come here today asking me for one specific program or another. today, the foreign minister talked to me about syria, israel, palestine, ukraine, and about the challenges they will face as new members nexgen you are a of the security council of the united nations. we have different relationships now and we need to build on it. role playing an interval in peace in the great lakes region.

the price of the great lakes continues to trouble us all. the eastern part of the democratic republic of congo has been the scene of some of the most perfect crimes of violence against women and girls that are imaginable. that a powerful reminder -- of the obligations we share not only for fear, but to work for a new generation of stability and hope. i want to thank their president for his personal commitment to that effort. particularly conference in the great lakes region. the foreign minister, their engagement with leaders has been and remains critical for ending , andhreat of armed groups no group poses a more immediate threat to the stability of the region of democratic forces for

the liberation of rwanda. the united states continues to support a two track approach to ending the threat of stl r, which includes demobilization and robust military efforts. grace know the six-month period for six-month surrender expires january 2, just round the corner. a choice is clear. choose the path of demobilization, the international community, all of us, will welcome it. r does not make that choice, the un's peacekeeping mission must act to ensure that the region delivers on its commitment to end the threat of the fdlr once and for all. i want to emphasize that great dividends of our partnership

extends beyond the drc. on issue after issue, our interest is are aligning like never before. we're working together on maritime security. we are combating piracy. we also discussed important issues like human trafficking, which has been a concern. delegationa senior of diplomats came to washington for discussions with our team here in washington. we look forward in the days ahead to working very closely with them in their responsibilities and we began the discussion in various ways today. we are particularly pleased and goa has recently taken steps to join the chemical weapons convention. conscience.eaty of for nearly 100 years, the world has stood up for the

international norm against the use of chemical weapons in the course of war. i want you to just think, before russia and the united states , they wereagreement spread around the country. imagine what would've happened now if we had not succeeded in removing those chemical weapons when they had taken over control of a large percentage of the country. that turned out to have been a providential choice and decision and accomplishment. during our conversation today, i am size to the foreign minister that the united states stands ready to assist in meeting the cheetos obligations. the danger of these weapons falling into the wrong hands should compel all of us to build consensus for action.

the foreign minister and i also discussed the importance of i lateral trade and continuing to grow the economic relationship between us. one of our most important trading partners. the economy has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. in our discussions, we have begun consideration and will continue over the next months and years to talk about the ways the united states and and goa can grow our trade in investment relationships. in particular, we want to deepen our cooperation in agriculture, technology, energy diversity, and infrastructure area when i was in rwanda, we talked at some length about the possibilities. these are the building blocks of company. dynamic i met with energy company executives and learned about the numbers of england's that are being hired and trained in that industry.

i also saw firsthand how our invest in its are improving the business climate and increasing and gola's economic integration into the region, actually leveraging and gola's leadership in many ways. we need to make sure this progress continues. and it is clear that when we together, and when we stand with nations that are trying to make the kind of today,s and goal it is we all share in success. a moment of great opportunity for the u.s. partnership with angola. we would like to be angola's partner of choice. u.n., andurity, the economic partnership. thank you again for your visit.

these are important days, and as i have said, we need to work together and rely each other. i know you do. we very much look forward to building the strength of the partnership you find one we're in rwanda, and i'm very happy to have you back here in washington. thank you, my friend. would like to: i thank secretary kerry for the invitation for us to come visit the united states of america at this particular time. i would also like to thank secretary kerry for his visit to rwanda last may. visit, many things between ourening

two countries. of course, after that, we have the summit of african heads of state here in the u.s. during that meeting. and goa and the u.s. signed the bank agreement, which will allow us to finance transportation projects, as well as energy projects also. with the ambassador in my gola, we have been accelerating our cooperation, which has opened to meetings of the technical groups, preparing for the summit about security and energy at the gulf of guinea,

theh will take place at beginning next year, probably during the first quarter. we observed that the level of , are witnessed of a corporation between and goa and the u.s. our conversation, today, was especially important, because we did not just talk about the bilateral issues, as secretary kerry mentioned. we talked about human rights. ontalked about our agreement human trafficking, and the have among that we our institutions and both governments. were happy with

angola about the chemical which isonvention, being reviewed by our parliament. of course, all countries in the toward beingwork free of such weapons. therefore, our team with the u.s. was extremely important, taking into account all of the aspects of our bilateral migration. of course, we talked about the great lakes region. what.s. congratulated angola has been doing along those lines area so that the country, views our contribution towards peace in that area grows.

that is a region that should already be in peace. there are rebel roots, collective efforts of the region, which have allowed the end. is still a concern for us, and it is a pertinent item on our agenda. and the international concerns on the great lakes, the u.n., local organize asian, are all working very hard to see an answer to this. andeed a peaceful solution to abide by the promises. such forces will have to .emilitarize

under the u.n., they will be watchful and will have to make them do their part. betweennt meeting international conference african discussing the importance of this issue, and we all have a duty to make it so, that those part. do their and we are ready to act if they do not. we also talked about an important issue the secretary of state mentioned. especially global security, the middle east, the situation in israel and syria and the ukraine

, and therefore, we talked about many issues and our conversations show that we share them.inion on all of as far as the u.n. is concerned, we will continue to cooperate. andill continue conversing africa and and gola, of course, representing the african continent, was the other three , will work in a with theed way security and peace council of the african union. therefore, i would be remiss if i did not congratulate the u.s. for the decision that president obama made today about sanctions against cuba, to start

diplomatic relations with that country, because this is a which we were opposite sides, therefore, for many years, there was this oppression of the cuban people for not being able to have a elationship with the u.s. therefore, we congratulate president obama, secretary because, it was not comfortable to see the u.s. cuba at the general assembly of the u.n. due to its and, the u.s. was also

as a sponsor of international terrorism. this is all changing. bigger better and dialogue that is being holding that the health, not only with cuba, but all the countries that supported cuba. therefore, our congratulations to the u.s. for that once more. foruld like to thank you inviting me, mr. secretary. u.s., we can meet under the offices of the strategic partnership dialogue and i think that we did what -- this period ing

which mr. secretary has been in office. he visitors -- he visited us this year and we met at the african summit. this shows the commitment of the u.s. in a positive way. thank you very much. [applause] >> the first question will be from allie weinberg of abc news. >> thank you. mr. secretary, there is a lot going on the world. i hope you will indulge me in asking about two topics. first come in cuba, several members of congress have artie made their thoughts known. how do you expect the political atmosphere here in the united states to affect your efforts to normalize relations with you but?

and, you met with alan gross today and talked a little bit about that. how did you perceive his health and demeanor? can you tell us a little bit about how he was doing? second -- >> third. >> fair enough. palestinian leaders are reportedly planning to submit a u.n. revelation earlier this year. perhaps they have artie done it since we have been in this room. what is your understanding of the status of that resolution at this time and how would the it andstates respond to does the submission of this resolution undermined your efforts earlier this week to find common ground between ?sraelis and palestinians finally, how concerned are you that the gulf of guinea will be become a bigger problem for and goa and its neighbors with respect to terrorism threats, and to what extent did that come up today during strategic

dialogue? thank you. collects -- >> i will answer in english. i think -- this conference is particularly important. we should congratulate the ambassador in the united states, because, you know, very recently, angola was faced with and we did attack not realize until now how important and serious that was on the gulf of guinea. the gulf of guinea represents a lot. 50% of world crude oil in the gulf of guinea. andalso have many countries

borders and a lot of trade within the region. it is particularly important, and that is why this conference will be a conference on security and energy. countries in the region produce oil, which naturally are consumed by the international community. think, unless we ofress very well the issue having a navy capable in the region, if we cannot do it, we will have to have our partners, the united states, france, and others, our international artist, who eventually can work to make sure we guarantee security in that particular region there it i think one of , i thinks will also be some of the piracy comes from within the states in the region.

with one will have to be handled by the government would build in the region where it we need work on all these aspects of the problem, so that we solve the problem. so, we have got to talk during the conference for possible solutions, and then looking at how our local governments will do their part, and how we can bring in our partners as well so we can have security in that region area >> thank you. -- region. >> thank you. with respect to members of congress, the members of congress who oppose what the president did today, and the administration, as lewdly share the same goal. free and cuba that is where humans have the ability to make choices.

the president's announcement is calculated to open up opportunity for the people of cuba, but also to break down barriers for all these years, so we can, hopefully, deal with other issues of concern. the ability of people to move, travel, and make choices, and we what thedent that president did today will make some difference. we hope the process, which we will engage in now, for -- further price -- further progress will be made, but also, --the next months and years, that is what i think will happen here. we recognize some members have strong feelings about it.

but these are the choices one has to make. we welcome debate. we will look very closely when congress returns next year. people will ultimately see the wisdom and possibilities of these openings. for many years, far bigger and far more threatening, and in ine cases, more repressive various places in the world, because we had to do with governments there. when you remain isolated, you cut yourself off. if it policy has not work in 60 years, you know the old saying, if you dig in the hole, you're getting deeper and deeper, stop digging. a lot of people feel this is a time for a change.

life is different and the world is different. communication is different. people have access to more information. we will not stop fighting for human rights are fighting for democracy. the agenda. are in the president very specifically to the summit of the americas and panama, he believes it is this notion by civil society that it will also take part in human rights and democracy will be on the agenda. it should be. so we are quite ready to have a good dialogue with congress. the courageous choice the president made today. to alan gross, this is a man who just touch down in america five years after imprisonment. i know from our efforts over the course of the last two years, even when i was in the senate, to see if in efforts

there really is could be one. a number of months ago when alan's mother was very sick and we had to have him released before she passed away. andid not succeed there -- alan was very despondent. i know i wrote him a note at one because we were concerned and his lawyers and his life was particularly concerned about his state of health. today, i saw a man rejuvenated by seeing his wife again, by being restored to american soil, and knowing that he told me he was going only by his sense of humor, and i think you have seen a touch of that today. he asked for his privacy.

some point, people will get to know him better. for the moment, i think we have seen the man who poignantly and excitedly and passionately extolled the virtues of being american and gratitude for being back in the united states. with respect to the u.n. resolution, we have not seen the language yet. we do not know precisely what was filed. we have been troubled by some of the language that has been out there in different points in time. we do not have any problem with them filing some sort of resolution, provided it is done in this. of working with able to see how we could perceive forward and his thoughtful in a way that could solve the problem and does not make it worse and we are focused on reducing the to make certain

that the people of israel can conduct their election an atmosphere where they can focus on their issues internally, not externally imposed, and our hope is to be able to advance the process and not said it here that is our goal. with respect to at undermining the chances for long-term reform, i do not believe that will happen if people act responsibly. and work come together together and exert an effort to try to find common ground here, i am confident the people of israel are as interested in peace as the people in palestine and west bank and jordan in the region. but this is not the moment to opine on that process. there is an election under way and i think we need to see it progress and pull our efforts

together in the most constructive way possible. that will come through consultations. >> the next question will be from angola public television. >> thank you. my bad english. sorry. translator: i would like to know from mr. secretary if, whether after this meeting with our ministry of foreign relations, what can we expect in terms of future in the near terms of bilateral cooperation? drovesmple, will we see of american investment in our economy, which is not only limited to oil? >> we very much hope so. this effort to expand and broaden the base of our

much thet was very subject of our conversation when we relented. we did not talk about it today, although we mentioned investment. but we specifically talked about it in rwanda. what we once do is strengthen the bilateral relationship so we can make rugrats on all the but alsoral issues bilateral issues, which means education, exchange, infrastructure development. there are many things we think we can do on health and health care and other kinds of things. technology, technology transfer. we understand the challenge in infrastructure, one of the main challenges, i think. we feel there are many ways in which the united states could be helpful in that process, where we would like to be able to cooperate. we definitively, particularly in the age of climate change, and in an age where many people are

looking for diversity with respect to energy sources, we want to have a diversified economic relationship with an goa, and that means broadening its base. to detract, as the minister knows better than anybody, attracting investment and attracting capital, it requires stability, certainty, clarity, and the rules of the road. it requires transparency, accountability, and we need to make sure all of those agreements are very much a part of our conversation, which they will be as part of the dialogue in our conversation. thank you all. thank you all very much. i appreciate it. >> thank you very much. we will go out this way. >> secretary of state john kerry angolanand golan --

prime minister. he announced plans today, the white house announcing that the u.s. and cuba will begin to normalize relations. the president announcing that earlier at the white house. and, also during his comments, president obama talked about pope francis and his role in the negotiations to release alan gross after five years of imprisonment. the associated press reports that the crucial role laid by pope francis in bringing cuba and the united states together signals that history's first latin american pope has no qualms about putting the holy see at the front lines of diplomacy, especially for a cause it has long championed. the vatican said today that francis wrote to president obama and cuban president roh castro in recent months and invited them to resolve their differences over humanitarian issues, including prisoners. that is from the associated press.

a short while ago, the former florida governor jeb bush -- ased a statement it says in part that the administration's decision to restore diplomatic ties with is the latest foreign policy misstep by this president and another dramatic overreach of his executive authority. it undermines america's credibility and undermines for a free> -- quest cuba. president obama came out at noon today to speak about the nation -- speak to the nation about the change in cuba and the release of alan gross after five years of captivity.

>> good afternoon. today, the nine states is changing its relationship with cuba. outdated approach for a decade, and instead will begin to normalize relationships between our two countries. through these changes, we intend to create more opportunities for the american and cuban people and begin a new chapter among the nations of the americas. there is a complicated history between the united states and cuba. i was born in 1961, just over two years after fidel castro and just ain cuba few months after the bay of pigs invasion, which try to overthrow its regime. over the next several decades, the relationship between our countries against the backdrop of the cold war, and america's steadfast conviction against communism. separated by over 90 miles, but year after year, and ideological

and economic barrier hardened between our two countries. meanwhile, the qnx community in -- the cuban exile community in the united states made enormous contributions to our country, in politics, business, culture, and sports. like immigrants before, cubans help to remake america. even as they felt a painful yearning for their land and families they left behind. all of this bound america and cuba in a unique relationship. flooe.family and proudly, united states has supported democracy and human rights in cuba through these five decades. we have done so, primarily, through policies that americans can enjoy anywhere else.