Washington welcomes the pope's visit to Cuba

By : mina sabry

On : 4:34:00 PM

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Washington on Thursday welcomed the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Havana, which saw it as an 

opportunity for the defense of human rights .. , But defended the blockade imposed on Cuba for half a century.

Said State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, "Of course we welcome his visit to Cuba, this represents a good opportunity to convey the message to the Cuban government the freedom of belief."

Pope criticized the U.S. embargo and considered to have a negative impact on the population of the island, in front of Cuban President Raul Castro, before leaving for Rome on Wednesday.

Toner said the United States was quite clear on the causes of the blockade, he said, our policy toward Cuba centered on improving relations between the American people and the people of Cuba. We have taken measures in order to demonstrate this type of cooperation. "

And prevents the blockade imposed on Cuba since February 1962 the export of any product containing ingredients made ​​in the U.S. to Cuba, even through a third country.