U.N.'s Ban Ki-moon hails Obama for 'courageous' Cuba move

U.N.'s Ban Ki-moon hails Obama for 'courageous' Cuba move
By Tribune wire reports
December 20, 2014, 7:19 PM

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday for what he called courage and vision in renewing ties with Cuba and said he had asked Washington to pursue such a course.

Cuban President Raul Castro also demonstrated leadership in reciprocating the opening, Ban said.

Obama announced on Wednesday that the United States would renew diplomatic relations it severed 50 years ago, and expand commercial ties with the communist-ruled island. The move has been criticized by a string of Republican lawmakers but welcomed abroad, including by the European Union.

"I highly commend President Obama's very courageous visionary decision to address this issue. At the same time I really appreciate President Raul Castro. He has shown great humanity and leadership this time," Ban told Reuters.

Ban visited Cuba earlier this year and said he had been trying to advocate for an opening with Cuba to authorities in Washington over the issue.

"I am very glad that they have finally decided to agree," said Ban.

More:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/chi-united-nations-obama-cuba-20141220-story.html