Neighbours offer olive branch to Cuba

The Organisation of American States lifted a decades-old ban on Cuba’s participation in the group and cleared the way for the island’s return despite initial US objections.

The vote by acclamation to revoke a 1962 measure suspending Cuba from the hemispheric group toppled an enduring landmark of the Cold War, and made clear that Latin American nations are forging a more independent relationship with the United States.

“The Cold War has ended this day in San Pedro Sula,” said Honduran President Manuel Zelaya immediately following the announcement. “We begin a new era of fraternity and tolerance.”

The action doesn’t mean Cuba will return to the 34-member body that helps coordinate policies and mediates disputes throughout the Americas.

Cuban officials have repeatedly insisted they have no interest in returning to an organisation they consider a tool of the United States.

But it does map out a new, more collegial relationship between the US and Latin American countries, and could help nascent US efforts to start a dialogue with Cuba after more than four decades without diplomatic relations.

After El Salvador this week became the hemisphere’s latest nation to restore ties with Cuba, the OAS move further draws the island back into the hemispheric fold after its Cold War isolation.

“This is a moment of rejoicing for all of Latin America,” Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Fander Falconi told reporters after the session. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called the vote “news of hope”.

If Cuba later decides to join the group, the agreement calls for “a process of dialogue” in line with OAS “practices, proposals and principles” – a veiled allusion to agreements on human rights and democracy that the US has insisted upon.

The decision was made by consensus, meaning the United States accepted it, though Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had lobbied personally for requiring Cuba to make democratic reforms and improve respect for human rights.

Still, Mrs Clinton applauded the final vote.

“Many member countries originally sought to lift the 1962 suspension and allow Cuba to return immediately, without conditions,” Mrs Clinton said in a statement issued by the State Department in Washington.

“Others agreed with us that the right approach was to replace the suspension which has outlived its purpose after nearly half a century with a process of dialogue and a future decision that will turn on Cuba’s commitment to the organisation’s values,” she added.