Pretoria - The South African government has hailed the move of American and Cuban leaders to open a new chapter on their diplomatic relations which have been severed since 1961.

“The South African government welcomes the release of the remaining three of the Cuban Five and the intention by the US to normalise diplomatic relations with Cuba,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said on Thursday.

Department spokesperson Clayson Monyela said Pretoria urges the US government to move swiftly towards the normalisation of diplomatic relations with Cuba as announced by President Obama.

The South African government has consistently called for the release of the Cuban Five and the lifting of the trade embargo against Cuba, maintaining that the embargo was punitive in its nature and execution, thus making Cuba's political and trade ties with the rest of the international community difficult.

At the level of the government and the ruling party, the African National Congress, South Africa has used its fraternal relations with Cuba to facilitate dialogue with the US in a series of consultative meetings.

“Working together with civil society, the South African Government has held up its model of political dialogue and reconciliation to the Cubans and advocated for a win-win situation,” spokesperson Clayson Monyela said, adding that South Africa and Cuba share a special relationship that is rooted in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

Washington severed ties with Havana in 1961, shortly after former Cuban leader Fidel Castro launched a revolution that toppled a US-friendly government.

The two countries have been at loggerheads ever since, with tensions boiling over on a number of occasions, most notably the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs Invasion in the early 1960s.

Wednesday's announcement came one day after Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro agreed in a phone call on a breakthrough prisoner exchange, the opening of embassies in each other's countries and an easing of some restrictions on commerce.

Simultaneous televised broadcasts from Washington and Havana served to highlight the historic decision to normalise ties following 50 years of frosty, often hostile relations.

"We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests," Obama said in an address at the White House.

"Instead we will begin to normalise relations between our two countries."

President Obama said he had instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to initiate talks with Cuba on restoring diplomatic relations with the island nation, adding that the US will re-establish an embassy in Havana and high-ranking officials will visit Cuba.

The US is also taking steps to increase travel, commerce and the flow of information to and from Cuba, said Obama, noting that he also looked forward to engaging Congress in discussion about lifting the US embargo against the country.

These changes will "begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas," and move beyond "a rigid policy that is rooted in events that took place before most of us were born," the President said.

While confirming the historic move, Castro also insisted that differences between Cuba and the United States be resolved through "negotiation" and stressed Cuba will defend its main principles.

"We have agreed to restore diplomatic ties, though that doesn't mean the main issue, which is the economic, trade and financial blockade, which causes major damage and must cease, has been resolved," Castro said in a TV broadcast timed to coincide with Obama's address.

He urged Obama to remove all obstacles that restrict the normal links between the two nations, and to recognise that there are "differences" in both countries by "concepts of democracy, human rights and government”.

"We must learn the art of living together in a civilized way with our own differences," said Castro. – SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua

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