An Encounter with Barack Obama

An Encounter with Barack Obama / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya
Posted on March 29, 2016

14ymedio, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 23 March 2016 — This past Tuesday,
March 22, 2016 was, without doubt, a memorable day for us, the 13
representatives of a portion of the independent civil society who had
the opportunity to meet with President Barack Obama at the US embassy in
Havana.

During the previous days, we had been invited to participate at a "high
level" meeting in the framework of the US President's visit to Cuba, and
on our arrival at the embassy, what we all had expected was confirmed:
Obama would meet with us behind closed doors, away from journalists'
cameras and microphones. The media was only present for a
photo-session, moments before the start of the off-the-record exchange
between the American president and the Cuban invitees.

Also present were other senior US officials, who were not involved in
the dialogue between Obama and Cuban activists and independent journalists.

At the meeting, which lasted over an hour and 40 minutes, all guests had
the opportunity to express different views on issues related to the new
policy of dialogue and rapprochement between the US government and Cuba,
and to advocate how some activists think this new relationship could
benefit progress in the empowerment of the Cuban people and the
consolidation of the civil society more efficiently.

Despite the different positions and projects represented, the great
majority of Cubans at the meeting expressed openly their support for the
policy of rapprochement and dialogue initiated by President Obama

Despite the different positions and projects represented, the great
majority of Cubans at the meeting expressed openly their support for the
policy of rapprochement and dialogue initiated by President Obama on
December 17, 2014. However – and contrary to what the government
discourse is spreading in its smear campaigns against the internal
dissidence – none of the activists asked for any funding or material
support for their projects.

Obama, meanwhile, made a show of good humor, intelligence, sensitivity
and a skill in listening to everyone, though some activists went over
the time allotted for their presentations, which limited further
exchange with the US president, as many of us had hoped for. However,
his frank interventions and the use of his usual direct language, devoid
of unnecessary grandstanding, constituted a lesson in politics that left
no doubt about his assertion that he is on the correct path.

This meeting demonstrates the willingness of the US government to
maintain open communication channels with all participants of Cuban
society, regardless of political beliefs, ideologies, dogmas and programs

Obviously, there is always much left to discuss at such encounters, but
at any rate, this meeting demonstrates the willingness of the US
government to maintain – as has been its tradition and political
practice to date – open communication channels with all participants of
Cuban society, regardless of political beliefs, ideologies, dogmas and
programs. This position does not refute the importance of continuing the
current dialogue with Cuban officials and should be emulated by
governments and representatives of all democratic societies in the
world, which are always eager to ignore the dissident sectors and to
deny their corresponding role in the process of change that has begun to
be carried out in Cuba.

Obama honored the activists of the independent civil society in devoting
a generous portion of his time during his brief visit, and he showed
absolute respect for Cubans, for our sovereignty and for the
pro-democracy projects. His idea summarizes the essence of his policy:
the future of Cuba and the construction of a democratic society are the
sole responsibility of Cubans on the Island and in the diaspora.

Personally, this meeting with Obama left me with the impression of what
an unaffected person he is, of his extraordinary intellect, his
knowledge about Cuban history and the relationship between our two
countries. A great man, whose name will ultimately be linked to the
Cuban process of transition, just as he will be known by future
generations of the offspring of this Island.

Translated by Norma Whiting

Source: An Encounter with Barack Obama / 14ymedio, Miriam Celaya |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/an-encounter-with-barack-obama-14ymedio-miriam-celaya/