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White House Does Not Dismiss Idea Of Castro Visit
WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The White House does not dismiss the possibility of an eventual, precedent-shattering visit to Washington by Cuban President Raul Castro as part of President Barack Obama's plans to normalize relations with Havana.
"I wouldn't rule out a visit from President Castro," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Thursday, a day after the two governments announced they would restore ties and open embassies after half a century of hostility.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, who is expected to visit Cuba in January, said renewed relations were not directly tied to progress on human rights in Cuba.
"The president has had the leaders of both Burma and China to the United States," he said. By meeting such leaders, the United States can better influence countries to better respect universal human rights, he said.
Republicans and some Democrats vowed to fight Obama's efforts to expand commercial ties with the communist-led island. Earnest shrugged off the threat that Congress would block the president.
"The steps that the president announced are steps that are well within his executive authority," he said, and the White House was "not particularly" worried they could be stopped.
Most legal experts have said the president has broad executive powers to ease restrictions on commerce, transportation and banking with Havana, even if Congress objects.