US takes Cuba off terror list

Washington, May 29

In a landmark decision, the US today removed Cuba from its list of State Sponsor of Terrorism, paving the way for normalising ties frozen for half a century and lifting of additional sanctions against the communist country.

“The rescission of Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism reflects our assessment that Cuba meets the statutory criteria for rescission,” State Department spokesperson Jeff Rathke said.

“While the United States has significant concerns and disagreements with a wide range of Cuba's policies and actions, these fall outside the criteria relevant to the rescission of a State Sponsor of Terrorism designation,” he said.

Such a decision by the Secretary of State John Kerry follows after the expiry of 45 day notice period to the Congress.

In December last year, US President Barack Obama had instructed the Secretary of State to immediately launch a review of Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and provide a report to him within six months regarding Cuba's support for international terrorism. — PTI