Thursday, April 16, 2009

CUMANA, VENEZUELA (AP) - Cuban President Raul Castro says his government is willing to discuss “everything” with Washington, including human rights, political prisoners and freedom of the press.

Castro says Havana has “sent word to the U.S. government in private and in public” that it is open to talking about anything, as long as it’s “on equal terms.”

His comments came Thursday during a speech to leaders at a summit hosted by Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez.

Castro spoke hours after President Barack Obama said he wants Havana to make the next move to improve U.S.-Cuba relations.

He did not specifically mention Obama’s comments.

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