Washington, Oct 29 (AP) Cuba's foreign minister hasannounced changes to the island's immigration policies,seeking to strengthen ties with the 800,000 Cubans livingoutside the country amid strained relations with Washingtonfollowing accusations that US diplomats suffered mysterioussonic attacks in Havana.
Speaking to a group of Cubans residing in the UnitedStates, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said yesterday thenew rules go into effect as of January 1, and blamed theUnited States for creating unjust obstacles in its visadepartment by expelling Cuban embassy personnel.
Rodriguez said the foreign ministry will authorise theentry and exit of expatriate Cubans through two tourist portsand allow the return of nationals who left the countryillegally, except those who departed from the US Naval base atGuantanamo Bay.
He also said the children of Cubans residing outside thecountry and those born in foreign countries will be able toobtain Cuban citizenship and identification documents.
"The government of the United States closes and Cubaopens" doors, Rodriguez said.
Cuba's government relaxed its migration policy in 2013,when it cancelled the requirement that island residents applyfor an exit permit to travel abroad.
Rodriguez said that by reducing its diplomatic presenceand suspending the issue of visas in Havana, Washington washurting the ability of Cuban families to visit their relativesin the US.
He said the new requirement that Cubans must travel tothe US consulate in Colombia to handle their visas throughpersonal interviews represents an insurmountable obstacle inmany cases.
"To Cuba, it is unacceptable and immoral that the USgovernment has decided to take political decisions that harmthe Cuban people," he said.
Washington removed 60 per cent of its staff from theisland, expelled Cuban diplomats from the US, restricted theissuance of visas and required that travellers to Cuba be toldthat diplomats had suffered attacks with an unknown sonicweapon that caused them temporary deafness or permanent,nausea, concussion and other symptoms.
Rodriguez called reports of the sonic attacks "totally"false and "a political manipulation aimed at damagingbilateral relations." (AP)KIS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.