Warmest Words In A Half-Century

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba-United_States_relations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_Cuba

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2886.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/7997439.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5glBD-LLqswmnj4XJ9NLzqNYVKLuwD97JVTN81

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Trading their warmest words in a half-century, the United States and Cuba pressed ahead Friday with a dizzying series of gestures as leaders of the Americas gathered for a summit. The momentum was so great that the head of the Organization of American States said he'll ask his group to invite Cuba back after 47 years.

In a diplomatic exchange of the kind that normally takes months or years, President Barack Obama this week dropped restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba, then challenged his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro to reciprocate.

Within hours, Castro responded with Cuba's most open offer for talks since the Eisenhower administration, saying he's ready to discuss "human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners everything." Cuban officials have historically bristled at discussing human rights or political prisoners, of whom they hold about 200.

The United States fired back Friday, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offering: "We welcome his comments, the overture they represent and we are taking a very serious look at how we intend to respond."

And OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza said he would ask the 34 member nations to invite Cuba back into the fold. Analysts doubted Insulza known for his political caution would have done so without a nod from Washington.

"We're going step by step," Insulza said. He called on the group to annul the 1962 resolution that suspended Cuba because its "Marxist-Leninist" system was incompatible with OAS principles. If two-thirds of foreign ministers agree at a meeting in Honduras next month, the communist government will be reinstated.

But while White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said U.S. officials were struck by Castro's new openness to admit change might be needed, he also said Cuba needed to start making concrete moves toward freedom.

President Barack Obama waves as he arrives for the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

President Barack Obama arrives for the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Friday, April 17, 2009.

US President Barack Obama arrives at Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain, Trinidad April 17, 2009 to attend the 5th Summit of the Americas.


President Barack Obama waves as he arrives for the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain.

Bolivia's President Evo Morales, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, waved during the official photo of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, or ALBA, Summit in Cumana, Venezuela.

A Marine One helicopter, with President Barack Obama on board, prepared to land at the Campo de Marte military field in Mexico City Thursday April 16, 2009. President Obama was in Mexico for a brief official visit on his way to attend the Summit of the Americas in the Caribbean.

President Barack Obama arrived at the Los Pinos presidential residence surrounded by Mexican honor guards in Mexico City.

President Barack Obama, left, smiles during a joint news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon at Los Pinos presidential residency in Mexico.

A man waved a flag of US President Barack Obama in Port of Spain, on April 16, 2009 a day before the opening of the 5th Summit of the Americas. Trinidad and Tobago is to become the first Caribbean state to host a summit of the Americas, where a total of 34 countries from across the American continent will converge - all, in fact, except Cuba - excluded due to US pressure, on April 17-19.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, shook hands with Dominican republic's President Leonel Fernandez at the end of a press conference at the national palace in Santo Domingo, Friday, April 17, 2009. Clinton was on a 24 hours official visit to Dominican republic.

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Presidential Pets In History

Four-legged friends are a time-honored White House tradition. President Taft had a cow. FDR had his terrier Fala. The Kennedys gave young Caroline a pony she named Macaroni. Lyndon Johnson had dogs named His and Her. Nixon had Checkers, the Fords had Liberty, the Clintons had Buddy the lab and Socks the cat, and the Bushes had Barney and Miss Beazley. Now the Obamas have Bo.

Here's a look back at at the most recent presidential pets:

President Taft's pet cow Pauline outside the State, War and Navy Building

FDR takes a drive with his terrier Fala

FDR and Fala at work

Fala en route to FDR's funeral

Harry Truman once received an unsolicited cocker spaniel as a gift. The dog was adopted by his physician.

The Kennedys with Caroline atop her pony Macaroni

Macaroni was allowed to graze on the front lawn of the White House

The Kennedys in Hyannis with a pack of pups

Lyndon Johnson holds his dog Her by the ears. To the left of Her is Johnson's other dog Him

Richard Nixon and Checkers

Susan Ford exiting the Oval Office with Liberty, the Ford family dog

Bill Clinton with Buddy

The Clintons' cat Socks gives a press conference

Socks is mobbed by paparazzi

George and Laura Bush with Barney and Spotty, respectively. Spotty's mother was Millie, George H.W. Bush's dog while in office.

President Bush tries to get Barney up the stairs to Air Force One.

Barney, left, romps around the White House lawn with newcomer Miss Beazley in 2005.

Bo meets the press.

Then walks the president

The most famous dog in America

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Obama's Cutest Moment

Obama jokingly acts like he is speaking in the ear of the Easter Bunny after his microphone failed to work as he attended the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 13, 2009, in Washington.

Obama runs with his new dog, Bo Obama.

Obama cheers a little girl as she competes in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 13, 2009, in Washington.

President Barack Obama, accompanied by members of Congress and school children, talks to astronauts on the International Space Station, Tuesday, March 24, 2009, from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington.

President Barack Obama laughs with an unidentified child as he attends the Washington Wizards NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at the Verizon Center in Washington, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.

Obama and his First Lady as they dance together at the Obama Home States Inaugural Ball in Washington on Inauguration day.

Obama reads the book 'Where the Wild Thing Are' to young children alongside First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 13, 2009.

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Bo-Bama

Meet Bo Obama, the newest member of the first family. Bo is a six-month-old Portuguese Water Dog, given to the Obamas by Sen. Ted Kennedy. Bo made his official White House debut Tuesday afternoon, after Sasha and Malia came home from school.

Baby Bo, in a photo released by the puppy's breeder. Bo's first name was "Amigo's New Hope."

Meet Bo, a six-month old Portuguese Water Dog.

The first family meets its newest member.

Bo runs through the White House with President Obama.

The Obamas walk Bo across the South Lawn of the White House.

Malia Obama plays with new puppy Bo.

Bo pauses for a photo.

The Obamas with puppy Bo on the South Lawn.

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