HAVANA, April 29 (RIA Novosti) - Cuban leader Raul Castro reiterated on Wednesday his country's willingness for a comprehensive dialog with the United States, but said the country's internal affairs were off-limits.
"We have said we are ready to discuss all issues with the U.S. government, on the condition of equality, but our sovereignty, our political and social system, our right to self-determination, and our internal affairs are not up for negotiation," he said.
Castro added that Cuba would not make any "gestures" of reconciliation, pointing out that there had been little progress on the issue of Cuba's economic blockade.
In mid-April, the Cuban president said that Havana was willing to discuss "everything - human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners," but only on the condition that Cuba was regarded as an equal in any discussions, and that Washington recognized "the Cuban people's right to self-determination."
The United States imposed an economic, trade and financial embargo against Cuba in 1962, three years after the Cuban Revolution that saw the downfall of Washington-backed dictator General Fulgencio Batista. The Cuban government estimates that the blockade has resulted in financial losses of around $86 billion.
