U.S. President pledges not to interfere in domestic politics

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama Friday offered a new deal for relations with the Americas, saying the U.S. shouldn't interfere in domestic politics, nor should it bear the blame for every problem which surfaces.



"I think it's important to recognize given historic suspicions that the U.S. policy should not be interference in other countries, but that also means we can't blame the U.S. for every problem that arises in the hemisphere. That's part of the bargain," Obama told the opening ceremony of the fifth Summit of the Americas.



The president said that while it isn't always easy, the U.S. can and does change, and that it shouldn't be alone. He told the other 32 leaders present that "all of us have responsibilities to look towards the future.



"The U.S. will be willing to acknowledge past errors where those errors have been made. We will be partners in helping alleviate poverty," Obama said. "But the American people have to get some positive reinforcement if they're to be engaged in the efforts to lift other countries out of the poverty that they're experiencing."



The President also said he was ready to talk with the Cuban government on a "wide range of issues."



"Over the past two years, I have indicated and I repeat today that I am prepared to have my administration engage with the Cuban government on a wide range of issues from human rights, free speech, and democratic reform to drugs, migration, and economic issues," he said. "Let me be clear: I am not interested in talking for the sake of talking. But I do believe that we can move U.S.-Cuban relations in a new direction," Obama added, AP reported.