yesterday, the president of the united states and the president of cuba had what was described as about a 45-minute to a one-hour conversation. that was the first direct presidential communication between the united states and cuba going back probably 50 years, a major discussion. they choreographed, they worked out all of the details that are about to take place beginning with the president's statement, president obama's statement only a few moments away. elise labott is joining us, our global affairs correspondent. you brought the story earlier this morning here on cnn. i think for those of us who have watched u.s./cuban relations over the years, this is historic. it's a great, great moment if you want to see this improvement in the relationship. it opens up the doors. but there will be severe criticism. >> reporter: that's right. certainly members of congress, die-hard anti-cuba lawmakers who think this is not the time, that certainly while the castros are in power that there's no way that the u.s. could open up to cuba. what the administration is saying here with all these landmark

the pope instrumental in this, both in writing letters to the united states and cuba, and also helping to put the final stamp on this deal. so that's why it's very carefully worded that the united states would not agree to trade a spy for alan gross who they insisted was not spying, and they insisted on language where cuba would say it released him for humanitarian reasons. they did concede a u.s. spy who had been held in prison in cuba for almost 20 years, this very valuable intelligence asset who is unnamed and now back in the united states, that was a spy for spy swap. and of course trading spies is something that has gone back in history for a long time. it's something that has been done in the past, so it's not unprecedented or seen as violating the u.s. policy about negotiations. it's like prisoner exchanges. so that exchange in the alan gross case is sort of the beginning and also the end of the story, because it was that obstacle that kept the negotiations from getting on to these biggerer issues, and now with that disposed of and out of the way, these negotiations hosted in ca

, flo, give it a rest. >>> we're getting lots of reaction to the historic news today, the united states and cubaut to normalize relations, full diplomatic relations, improve economic and commercial ties, tourism. the u.s. got alan gross, an american contractor held for five years, he's now back here in the united states. another u.s. spy who had been held by cuba for 20 years, he is freed as well. three cuban prisoners held in the u.s., part of the cuban five, they have been released as well. carl levin, democrat from michigan, good news, bad news, what do you think, senator? >> i think this is the right thing to do by the president. alan gross is somebody who never should have been in prison. there's another very important intelligence operative who's paid a heavy price for helping america. he's been in a cuban prison 20 years. i think the president's decision was right in terms of that swap of the two for the three. and i think it's also right to try to have a more normal relationship with cuba. after all, didn't take us five decades to realize that we should have a normal relationship with co

and god bless the united states of america. >> that statement is history, the united states changing its policy with cuba, that from president obama who says this new policy that he's announcing will create more opportunities for americans and especially for the cuban people. the president also confirming he talked with raul castro yesterday, that would be a first, and saying an american held for two decades in cuba is back home, no name given, but he worked i in inch in intelligence and was weld there for the past years. and that and alan gross. republican senator marco rubio asking earlier today on the fox news channel what is cuba changing about its system of government for its people? i want to get back to doug live at the white house again with us. did anyone see this shift in policy changing, dog? dog? >> changing, doug? >> you could kind of see this coming. it was really difficult to read the tea leaves. the u.s. senator from arizona jeff flake was on the airplane with gross when it landed at andrews air force base this afternoon suggested he was certainly well aware of it and held it very close t

♪ collect the united states and -- >> the united states and cuba are restoring diplomatic ties afterearly half a century of cold war hostility. president barack obama says he is ending what he called an outdated approach to the island. five people were released, including allen gross, who spent five years in a cuban jail after he was accused of overthrowing -- trying to overthrow the cuban government. >> we want to send a message to all the people who spoke up subjected themselves to my ranting. to all those who tried to visit me but were unable to. thank you for trying. as soon as i get new teeth, i hope they will be sharp enough to make a difference. >> the decision to restore ties with cuba has been met with some criticism in the united states. republican senator marco rubio from florida says the u.s. has given everything to cuba but got nothing in return. obama disagrees. he says the decade-old policy toward cuba simply was not working. >> the united states has supported democracy and human rights in cuba through these five decades. we have done so primarily through policies to i

pope francis. >> pope francis played a crucial role providing office space and secrecy for talks between cuba and the united statesdespite president obama's policy shift rule the main issue, the longstanding economic embargo must end. the shift between the united states and cuba is huge news in south florida. 70% of cuban americans live there. morgan radford spent a semester at the university of havana during the last year of fidel castro's presidency. first, what is the scene like where you are? >> that's right, david. as you said it is a historic day here, and the two prevailing questions here right at the heart of miami's little havana community is why is this happening now? and where do we go from here. the way people are solving this almost family style. i would like to say that there is mixed reaction but the reality is there have been only a couple of obama supporters who support what is happening. and the majority of the people out here where i am david they're saying, look, obama really betrayed us, and some saying that obama is an assassin just like the castros, and they're saying he really sold us out,

after more than half a century of hostilities, today the united states and cuba took an historic step toward diplomatic and economic ties. in simultaneous appearances, president obama and the cuban leader role castro announced the moves that were the result of more than a year of secret talks brokered by the vatican. click -- >> it took three hours for alan gross to fly to america, but 50 years for the countries to find accommodation with each other. his freedom was being wrapped up in a much bigger prize. >> i am incredibly less finally to have the freedom to resume a positive and constructive life. -- i'm incredibly blessed finally to have freedom to resume a positive and constructive life. but for now i will close with one of cecil b did milk characters, it is good to be home. >> -- cecil b demille's characters, it's good to be home. >> sweeping sanctions imposed by the u.s. are still there today. now barack obama says the time is right for change for change. >> today, the united states of america is changing its relationship with the people of cuba. and the most significant change

there is accommodated history between the united states and cuba. was born in 1961, just over two years after fidel castro took power in cuba, and just a few months after the bay of pigs invasion. over the next several decades, relationship between our countries played out against the backdrop of the cold war. we are separated by just over 90 miles. but year after year, and ideological and economical barrier hardened between our two countries. meanwhile, the cuban exile in the united states made enormous constitutions to our country -- and politics, in 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 a unique relationship. proudly, united states has supported democracy and human through these five decades. done so, primarily, through policies that americans can enjoy anywhere else. although this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions, no other nation joint is an imposing the sanctions. little y

and cuba agreeing to reestablish diplomatic negotiations, a major moment in history here. >> the president mentioning this comes after a year of secret talks between the united states and cuba in canada and the vatican and he also thanks pope francis for helping to restart the talks. we'll continue to follow this story, the breaking national news story online coming up on "action news" later this afternoon at 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00. >>> back to our other top story of today, a 16-year-old girl struck and killed in bensalem trying to get on her school bus, walter perez has more now. >> reporter: you know sara it's such a tragic story in an investigators say never should have happened. the scoot bus was stopped and the safety arm was ex tended and the lights were flashing and an 18-year-old is accused of ignoring the warnings. >> daniel is talking about her friend. who was killed at 6:45 this morning, the student was crossing bensalem boulevard catching her school bus when this suv came barrelling westbound down the boulevard. >> a bronco suv vehicle was traveling westbound on bensalem boulevard and disregarded the school bus and lights and stop sign and struck and dragg

all of this bound america and cuba in a unique relationship, at once family and foe. proudly, the united statesas supported democracy and human rights in cuba through these five decades. we have done so primarily through policies that aimed to isolate the island, preventing the most basic travel and commerce that americans can enjoy anyplace else. and though this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions, no other nation joins us in imposing these sanctions, and it has had little effect beyond providing the cuban government with a rationale for restrictions on its people. today, cuba is still governed by the castros and the communist party that came to power half a century ago. neither the american, nor cuban people are well served by a rigid policy that is rooted in events that took place before most of us were born. consider that for more than 35 years, we've had relations with china -- a far larger country also governed by a communist party. nearly two decades ago, we reestablished relations with vietnam, where we fought a war that claimed more americans than any cold war confrontatio

that allowed us to arrest the network of cuban agents and included them in transferred to cuba today will stop as well as other spies in the united states this man is now safely on our shores. >> the deal between the united states and cuba is a major diplomatic victory for cuba's president raul castro, who has offered to engage in direct conversations with obama "as equals" since he came to power in 2006 after taking over from his brother fidel. castro announced the changes in his own midday address to the nation. >> as a result of a dialogue at the highest level, which included a phone conversation i had yesterday with president obama, we have been able to make headway in the solution of some topics of mutual interest for both nations. as fidel promised on june 2001 ,hen he said, they shall return they have returned to our homeland. the enormous joy of their families and all of our people who have relentlessly fought for this goal is shared by hundreds of solidarity committees and parliamentsrnments, , organizations, institutions, and personalities who, for the last 16 years, have made tireless effort demanding their release. we convey

you are seeing this opening with cuba and yet you're seeing the united states using this as essentiallyre detentionnterrogation and one time torture facility. the demand here should be to close guantÁnamo for starters, and secondly, to ultimately return guantÁnamo to cuba. >> talking about global relations, the u.s. relations with latin america. peter kornbluh, roll castro is set to because of pay for the first time, the cuban president, next year's summit of the americas in panama. as we wrap up, let's wrap up in havana, cuba, where you are, peter, about the significance of this moment. i think we have to give a lot of credit to the latin american nations. panama, which is hosting the next summit of the americas in april, the countries like brazil and mexico and argentina who have been pushing the obama administration for years now to normalize relations with cuba. the latin american countries basically have said to the obama administration, we're going to boycott the next summit in less cuba is included. you are going to be isolated, not cuba. and so raul castro has been invited and h

and cuba in a unique relationship. once family and foe. proudly, the united states has supported democracy and human rights in cuba through these five decades. we've done so primarily through policies that aim to isolate the island, preventing the most basic travel and commerce that americans can enjoy any place else. and though this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions, no other nation joins us in imposing these sanctions and it has had little effect beyond providing the cuban government for rationals on its people. today cuba is still governed by the castros and the communist party that came to power half a century ago. neither the american nor cuban people are well served bay rinld policy that's rooted in events that took place before most of us were born. considered that for more than 35 years, we've had relations with china, a far larger country also governed bay communist party. nearly two decades ago, we reestablished relations with vietnam where we fought a with a that are claimed more americans than any cold war confrontation. that's why, when i

a recognition from the united states that perhaps it's time to change the embargo against cuba and also to change the terror designation of cuba by the united states. again, indications from this administration and the former president bill clinton that the time may be coming for improved relations with cuba. this is the first step that was required. again, it has happened now. alan gross, leaving cuba after five years in prison heading to the united states. >> we will see what the president has to say at 12:00 noon. alan gross released this morning. chris, good morning. >> good morning. i can tell you that this is something the administration has been working toward. obviously, the president, members of the national security council council, had been aware of mr. gross' deteriorating health. he had lost a lot of weight by some reports, as much as 100 pounds, lost his teeth and had hip problems and was saying he was going to be on a hunger strike, that he didn't expect to see his 66th birthday in may. this is a situation that needed to be resolved for some kind of detaunt between the un

after 1995, when the immigration agreement was signed on between cuba and the united states, they resorteding cuban airspace, flying over havana, launching things, and they started to develop some other plans which included the use of some blows it's in cuba. so they became really dangerous. by 1995, trying to do some different things than the ones they had done since the beginning. those were the activities i was reporting on. >> can you talk about basulto talking about a weapon that they needed to test in the everglades? >> that was presented as evidence in the trial. he devised a weapon that would be like a flare. let's go back to beginning. even when he was saving lives, he called me once and he asked for my advice to do some explosives in cuba. this was 1992. his idea back then was to blow up some power lines. back then in 1992, the economic situation in cuba was really hard and we have blackouts every decided that he could do something to make those blackouts more common and he was the airplane to bring some explosives to the power lines. after that he was involved in the plot to buy

. >>> an historic beginning for the united states and cuba. president obama announces a breakthrough agreement with the island with severed ties years ago. >>> movie release, canceled. sony pulling the plug on the film "the interview" following cyber attacks and terror threats from hackers. this morning, all eyes on north korea. is the leader kim jong-un behind the attacks? >>> and russia's economy in crisis and right now, president vladimir putin is on the defensive fielding questions from reporters. we are live in moscow with the session coming up. good morning. a lot going on. welcome to early start. i'm john berman. it is thursday, december 18th. 4:00 a.m. in the east. christine romans is off this morning. developing this morning, monumental changes in the contentious and complicated relationship between the united states and cuba. president obama has announced plans to normalize u.s. relations with cuba. it feels strange saying that. after months of closely guarded negotiations. the president ordered an embassy opening in cuba for more th

imprisonment has been considered a major impediment to any renewed relationship between the united states and cuba. the 65-year-old was sentenced in 2011 to 15 years in prison for bringing telecommunications devices to key what to set up internet access as a subcontractor for the united states agencies for international development. the cuban government accused him of being a spy. >> president obama spoke with castro about the policy changes and the release of gross capping a year of high-level talks between the united states and cuba. >> reporting on the situation if cuba continues now on the abc news app and facebook and updates on twitter@abc7newsbayarea. >> police are investigating after a homeowner shot an intruder at 4:30 this morning at a home. police say the homeowner opened fire after a man ignored the man positive get off his property and managed to get inside the property. he admitted to police he drunk all night and was trying to get in what he thought was his home and is charged with trespassing, vandalism not believed life threatening. >> thank you have been car fires a couple of blo

united states, the usual divide between democrats and republicans have people at on over this breakthrough. more on that story coming up. stay with us on dw. ♪ @@ú and -- the united states >> the united states and cubae restoring diplomatic ties after nearly half a century of cold war hostility. president barack obama says he is ending what he called an outdated approach to the island. five people were released, including allen gross, who spent five years in a cuban jail after he was accused of overthrowing -- trying to overthrow the cuban government. message toto send a all the people who spoke up

the most important is that we showed, both of us, cuba and the united states, that through a process of negotiation, respectful on equal basis, we can solve many of the problems that we have, even sensitive problems between cuba and the united states. >> what's the next step in this process, this effort to normalize the relationship? what happens next? >> the next step is that we were planning to have, by the way, in january the biannual migration talks. so we will take the opportunity of the migration talks -- that will take place in havana this time -- to begin the conversation about the process of re-establishing diplomatic relations. >> and who will represent the united states? who are you inviting to havana to begin this dialogue? i assume you'll be leading the cuban delegation, is that right? >> we already know that secretary of state john kerry has designated roberto jacobsen to head the american delegate to begin that process. >> you'll be leading the cuban delegation? >> i am expecting to be part of the cuban delegation that will participate in that process. >> so i assume th

and nationalized businesses owned by u.s. corporations. eisenhower responded by imposing trade restrictions on cuba, prohibiting everything but food and medical supplies from reaching cuba from the united states. in response castro reached out to nikita kruschev. eisenhower in turn promptly cut all diplomatic ties with cuba, and official policy which has remained unchanged since 1961. the early 1960's mark clandestine operations to over throw the castro regime, including the bay of pigs. but the dangerous confrontation between castro and the u.s. came in october 1961. that's when an american youtube spy plane photographed evidence that the soviet union was attempting to build an internet continental ballistic missile base in cuba. if completed that would allowed the soviets to control nuclear weapons capable of reaching targets deep within the american mainland. for 12 days in october president kennedy and premiere kruschev faced off in confrontation which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. >> the purpose of these is non-other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the western helm sphere. >> eventually kruschev backed down, but the cuban missile crisis caused a deep

cuba. this last conversation was substantive and the point that i made to mr. castro was that given the proximity between the united states given the strong family ties between the united states and cuba, there should be a way for us to move the relationship forward. i was very insistent with him that we would continue to promote democracy and human rights and speak out forcefully on behalf of the freedom of the people of cuba. >> reporter: officials say the ailing contractor, alan gross, was released on humanitarian grounds. but the u.s. also negotiated a prison swap today. releasing three cuban spies for one of our own. held in cuba for 20 years. a deal the pope helped broker. >> how crucial a role did the pope play in all of this? >> he played a very important role. when i had the meeting with pope francis for the first time, back in the spring, this was one of the items on the agenda. >> reporte >> will you visit cuba? >> i don't have any current plans to visit cuba. >> not ruling it out? >> let's see how things evolve. >> reporter: the u.s. and gu have a long, contentious history that began at the height of the cold

all of this bound america and cuba in a unique relationship. proudly the united statesrted democracy and human rights in cuba through the five decades. we have done so primarily through policies that aim to isolate the island preventing the most basic travel and commerce americans can enjoy any place else and those this policy has been rooted in the best of intentions no other nation joined us in imposing these sanctions and it has had little effect beyond providing of the cuban government with a rationale for restrictions on its people. today cuba is still governed by the castros and the communist party's it came to power after century ago. neither the americans nor cuban people are well served by a rigid policy rooted in events that took place before most of us were born. consider that for 35 years we had relations with china, a far larger country also governed by a communist party. nearly two decades ago we reestablished relations with vietnam where we fought a war that claimed more americans than any cold war confrontation. that is why when i came into office up pro

there's a, the kid in history between the united states and cuba. i was born in 1961, just over two years after fidel castro took power in cuba and just a few months after the bay of pigs invasion which tried to overthrow his regime. over the next several decades the relationship between our countries played out against the backdrop of the cold war and america's steadfast opposition to communism. we are separated by just over 90 miles but year after year and ideological and economical barrier hardened between our two countries. meanwhile cuban exile community in united states made enormous cut emissions to our country and politics, business, culture and sports. like immigrants before, cuba helped remake america even as they helped a painful yearning for the families left behind. all of this bound america and cuba in a unique relationship in one's family and follow. proudly the united states has supported democracy and human rights in cuba through these five decades. we have done so come early through policies to isolate preventing the most basic trav

his phone call with cuba's president and announced it to the nation two hours ago. >> i've instructed secretary kerry to remain communication with cuba. going forward, the united states will reestablish an embassy in havana and high ranking officials will visit cuba. >> let me repeat. we are talking half a century of strife that started in earnest with the cuban missile crisis which was about as close as the world had ever come to full on nuclear war. we're also talking about the castro support from revolutions in latin america and then we recall the journeys across the florida straits of cubans seeking freedom on u.s. soil and the angry official attacks such as this one uttered after cuba downed a small aircraft whose cuban pilot was trying to defect. >> this is cowardice. >> reflective there of u.s./cuba relations. for as long as anyone can remember and today, mark this date, december 17th, 2014, it changes everything. lots and lots to talk about here. we have senator bill nelson, democrat of florida joining me now from orlando. senator, wonderful to have you on. thanks for joining me. >> it's a hallelujah day not only for alan but we know have two americans home i

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.

monumental change in the complicated relationship with the united states and cuba. ama announced plans to normalize relation was cuba after months of closely guarded and secret negotiations. the president ordered an opening of the embassy in havana for the first time in 50 years. a cuban embassy in washington. one key part of the deal, the release of u.s. contractor alan gross after five years in a cuban prison. he was immediately flown back to the united states. >> god bless you and thank you. it was crucial to my survival knowing that i was not forgotten. >> there is a spy swap as part of the deal. three cubans convicted of espionage released from u.s. prisons. our senior white house correspondent jim acosta has latest on the historic development. jim. >> reporter: john, it is not a lifting of the embargo, but the relationship has started to thaw. this is a culmination of the talks that started 18 months ago in june of last year. officials say most of the discussions took place in canada led by security adviser ben rhodes. those wheels were in motion when obama met

united states was becoming more and more isolated from its regional neighbors. every single country in central, south america and can ribera has been calling for cuba to be invitedack. the united states would have been left to boycott a for forum it started itself, or to sit down with raul castro and perhaps in a very uncomfortable situation. this opened the door for the united states to regain a lot of the lost leadership in this region. that's something that president obama has recognized. >> thank you very much. christopher sabbatini, with the council o council for the americas. what do you see as opportunities for the cuba and the america. >> it was a challenge basically because in the last summit all the latin american government has a vote and said no cuba, no summit. they would not join the summit if cuba was not there, which violated the original charter of the summit. but with this announcement you're looking at a real opener for the region in terms of now basically the administration can have better relations with a lot of its allies at the same time they can put front and center on the summit agenda what is the meaning of democracy, and policy and pol

united nations which condemned american sanctions against cuba. and the only two countries that voted against it were the united states and israel. so i think the upcoming meeting of the organization of american states was a forgone conclusion that cuba would be there. all of these other nations had decided on that decision, made that decision, and now the united states has decided that they would cooperate with this i say forgone conclusion, and that we would cooperate as well. i think this will strengthen the organization of american states. it will lessen outside interference from russia or any other disruptive force and heal a lot of wounds, wounds that had been developed between the united states and other latin american countries who are supposedly our friends. >> president carter, it is good to have you on you our program today. thank you. >> good luck with you and your good work. >> thank you, john casen is in mime tonight, what are you hearing in correlate gables and miami about this news? >> of course there's a mixed opinion but i think the majority of people that left cuba and say 20 years after the revolution are very

out about noon today eastern time simultaneously in washington and here in havana that the united states and cuba would form normal diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961. the idea was met here with jubilation by cubans who feel that this will be a major boost to their economy. we have correspondents covering this story around the world, including reports from moscow, the vatican, miami and washington, and we'll start tonight with major garrett at the white house. >> i am convinced that through a policy of engagement we can more effectively stand up for our values and help the cuban people help themselves as they move into the 21st century. >> reporter: it started this march with a meeting between president obama and pope francis at the vatican. the president then authorized direct talks with cuba about the release of u.s. aid worker alan gross and the potential opening of diplomatic relations with the castro regime. white house advisers ben rhodes and ricardo zuniga, seen here conferring in the oval office, met secretly with cuban officials in ottawa, canada, in june 2013. a series o

and cuba in a unique relationship. at once, family and foe. proudly the united states has supported human rights in cuba through these five decades. we've done so primarily through policies that aimed to isolate the island. preventing the most basic travel and commerce that americans can enjoy any place else. and though this has been rooted in the best of intentions no other nation joins us in imposing these sanction it's had little effect beyond providing the cuban government with a rational for restrictions on its people. today they are still governed by the castros that came to power half a century ago. neither the americans or the cuban are well served by a policy that took place in an event years before we were born. nearly two decades ago we reestablish eed relations are vietnam, where we fought a war that claimed more americans than any cold war confrontation. that's why when i came into office i promised to re-examine our cuban policy. relifted restrictions to for cuban families to travel and send remittances to their families in cuba. these changes now seem ob

people who say the timing is bad, the deal was poorly made, and those who say cuba and the united statess, if cuba continues to do the things it does. there's a millions of things to sort out like when will people be able to make the trip, who will be able to do business, what business, and what can be imported and exported. and a few more sticky legal messes to sort out as well. they really demand attention in fact. i'm going to talk about one right now. this woman, joanne chibesimard o broke out of prison, the first woman to be on the fbi's list of most wanted terrorists, you guessed it, she's kicking back in cuba and the fbi really wants her back in america. heather hanson, trial attorney, criminal defense attorney, joey jackson is here. okay. so now cume bay ya with cuba, does that mean just maybe they'll send her back if we ask nicely enough? >> i would have thought if that was going to happen we would have heard it already. we have a' heard about exchange of some prisoners and this particular woman causes a lot of upset. there are a lot of issues with regards to her conviction. a l

cuba. and i'll tell you, if this works out and if he gives freedom to the cuban people, there will be an economic renaissance between cuba and the united states and especially my state of florida. that will be a game changer. >> nature bill nelson live with us from orlando. all the best. thank you so much. >> thanks, shepard. >> jeff flake was on the flight that brought alan gross home and senator flake has been kind enough to join us on phone now. senator, first of all, the emotions of them all. share them with our audience. it's possible we lost him. i believe we lost the senator. he just dropped off the line as -- we'll re-establish -- in fact we just made a reconnection now. he was running to get a flight i'm told this afternoon and hoped to join us on camera. imagine being on that flight put all the politics aside and think of this man, a jewish man who went over to help jews, a small group of jews in cuba to receive some sort of internet access and now he's back on the lines with. now i just wonder, senator, thank you again for being here. i know as the captain flew out of cuban airspace he made an announcement and if you could tell us

cuba comes out. and of course, as you can imagine, not only the release of alan gross this morning, but the possibility of cuba and the united statesand all the details we have heard. the possibility of embassies in cuba and a complete change of relationship between cuba and the united states have caused a generational, a generational gap in between the cuban community. the older community do not take this news with open arms. they believe that this is the wrong idea, they believe this is the wrong move by the obama administration, and they believe that this is one more political move. however, some of the younger generation think that you know what, enough is enough. its been 61 years of the emba o embargo, and we, this is a possibility to change. we have been going through this, the younger generation, we have been going through this, it has not worked. so this is right now the mood here in little havana. >> obviously a big moment and a very personal one for so many families there. thank you for that update. we have new video right now of alan gross chofs just in his lawyer's office, i believe you're looking at that right now jus

programs in latin america, and the united states was getting into disfavour with an increasing number of latin american countries because of our unique harsh treatment of cuba, and as you know, it was an annual resolution in the united nations. which condemned american sanctions against cuba. and the only two countries that voted against if were united states and israel. i think the upcoming meeting of american states was a foregone conclusion that america would be there. all the united nations decided on that decision. and now the united states have to cooperate. i say a foregone conclusion, and it will lesson outside the united states. it is a disruptive force, and heel a lot of wound, wounds that have been developed between the united states and other latin american countries who are supposedly our friends. >> president carter, good to have you on the programme. thank you for joining us. >> thank you, good luck with you and your good work. >> jame caisson was the chief of the u.s. diplomatic mission in havana, and is the major of coral gables. tell us what you are hearing in coral gables in miami. >> there's a mixed opinion. the majority of people that l

and what could be a historic change with cuba. handful of lawmakers there to greet him as he landed. back in the united statesears in prison, and one of those is illinois senator dick durbin. thanks for joining us. >> good to be with you. >> i can hear the excitement in your voice, what does this mean? not just for the gross family, but for all americans watching? >> well first, here's a man, five years in prison by cubans who finally made a good call. and what a positive response when we asked about the president's announcement coming up, he said if this doesn't lead to a better relationship with cuba, then i will have wasted five years of my life. he really is committed to the cuban people. he wants us to have a better relationship with the country. >> it's so interesting in a statement, the president made marking the fifth anniversary of mr. gross's detention earlier this month, he said at the time, the cuban government's release would remove an impediment with relations between the united states and cuba, at the time, that statement was not a huge headline, but in reflection now, and the details we now kn

. >> the president of the united states and cuba will resume relations. >> it could take two years for the russian economy to recover from its current economic crisis. >> palestinian president abbas has given his back to go a draft resolution proposed to the united states security council by jordan. it calls for a shared capitol in jerusalem and end to the israel occupation within two years. we are live now in ramallah. no surprise really that mr. abbas backed this proposal, but how likely is it to go to a vote at the u.n. security council? >> >> that's right, david, well in president abbas's statement, his first public address since that blueprint draft resolution was submitted by jordan, we understand that there's a bit more negotiating to be done, more tweaking as to this final draft. that is precisely what mr. abbas said, that the current draft in its current form needs more discussion. there will be more negotiations with what he described as his friends and his brothers, as they table what will eventually be the final draft resolution submitted to the u.n. security council. >> we

and something that may sway congress, some lawmakers at least, is that other countries have reached out to cuba and are actively trading with them, they've improved relations. and maybe the united states is behind the eight ball. >> cuba is not as isolated as a country like iran. only the u.s. has this involvement and a few other countries. many european countries have active trade with cuba. in a sense we're losing an opportunity to have influence and contact in cuba. it is american contact commerce that is more likely than anything to have an impact because we always do bring with it concerns about human rights. we press these countries. we don't have any relations with them right now so it's very difficult. so as i say, there is an alternate strategy and theory here, more contact and more commerce will have the effect of softening the regime, 'em pempog the society. there's a limit of how much you can do with the sanctions. i doubt that president obama will ask congress to lift the embargo. i think he knows that ana is exact lit right. that's not going to happen . but the point you're making, their ear symbolic. now other countries might step up and get more engaged with cuba becau

those ideas that they will bring with them to cuba, and that they will bring from cuba back to the united statesill only make it easier and more possible for the people of cuba to experience the freedom we think they should have. >> well, another big, big day, a huge day for the not so lame duck president obama. jonathan cape hart jr., thanks so much. >>> breaking news out of hollywood tonight. u.s. officials say there is a link to norh korea to the sony hacking. and our panel takes on president obama's historic move on cuba. stay with us. >> i'm thrilled today. i want to thank president obama for the efforts that went into this huge break through. ♪ [ woman ] i will embrace change... everything life throws my way. except for frown lines. those i'm throwing back. [ female announcer ] olay total effects. nourishing vitamins, and seven beautiful benefits in one. for younger-looking skin. so while your life may be ever-changing... ♪ ...your beautiful skin will stay beautiful. total effects from olay. your best beautiful. total effects from olay. you're down with crestor. yes! when diet and exercise

and later, we go inside the secret meetings that led to a landmark deal between the united states and cuba and the release of the jailed american contractor alan gross. [ narrator ] mama sherman and the legion of super fans. wow! [ narrator ] on a mission to get richard to his campbell's chunky soup. it's new chunky beer-n-cheese with beef and bacon soup. i love it. and mama loves you. ♪ andno question about that. but your erectile dysfunction - that could be a question of blood flow. cialis tadalafil for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment's right. you can be more confident in your ability to be ready. and the same cialis is the only daily ed tablet approved to treat ed and symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently or urgently. tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. do not drink alcohol in excess. side effects may include headache, upset stomach, delayed backache or muscle ache. to avoid long