Obama, Raul Castro start to thaw relations between U.S. and Cuba

The new presidents of the United States and Cuba, in a surprisingly direct exchange, appeared to open the door Thursday for negotiations toward a new relationship between the two countries divided by 90 miles of water and 50 years of cold war.

After lifting restrictions on visits and money sent to Cuba by Americans with families there earlier this week, Obama said during his visit to Mexico City that it was up to Havana to take the next step.

Obama said Cuba needs to reciprocate to his overtures with actions "grounded in respect for human rights," possibly including lifting its own restrictions on the ability of Cubans to travel and to voice their opinions.

Within hours, Raul Castro replied from a summit in Venezuela: "We have sent word to the U.S. government in private and in public that we are willing to discuss everything — human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners — everything."

It was the boldest and most conciliatory language Castro or his brother Fidel — who handed him the presidency a year ago after falling ill — have used with any U.S. administration since that of Dwight D. Eisenhower in early 1961, when the nations broke off relations. It appeared to be a transcendent development, the best opportunity for talks in a half-century.

Castro did not mention Obama's comments specifically — and stopped short of promising any action.

His only conditions for talks now are that Washington treat them as a conversation between equals and respect "the Cuban people's right to self-determination," Castro said.