U.S. Opens Embassy In Havana

The top diplomats of Cuba and the U.S. are describing some of the hard issues that lie ahead following the raising of the U.S. flag over the Havana embassy after a 54-year diplomatic break. High among them are mutual claims for damages.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez says Cuba's claims for damages caused by the long U.S. economic embargo must be considered at the same time as U.S. claims for property expropriated by the communist government. Each side estimates its claims run well into the billions of dollars.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says one thing not on the table is the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo in eastern Cuba. Cuba's government has long demanded return of the enclave which was leased to the U.S. in 1903.

Kerry says the U.S.-Cuba talks on ``full normalization'' of ties will start in mid-September, building on the restoration of diplomatic relations after a 54-year break. (Associated Press)