The embargo "aimed to generate hunger, desperation and suffering to succeed in overthrowing the government" of Cuba, daily Granma cited Castro as saying.

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OBSTACLES STILL REMAIN

It was the second day of the first high-level meeting held between Cuba and the United States since the surprising announcement on Dec. 17 by President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro about restoring the bilateral diplomatic ties broken off in January 1961. Full story

Castro's remarks came one day after U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said her country welcomed former Cuban leader Fidel Castro's first public comments about the restoration of U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations.

Castro reiterated at the summit that the embargo remains the single biggest obstacle to mending ties.

Castro said the Cuban delegation outlined the conditions when meeting Jacobson and other U.S. officials last week, adding that more talks will take place to deal with these issues.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday welcomed former leader of Cuba Fidel Castro's first public comments about the restoration of U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations.

U.S. welcomes former Cuban leader's comments on thaw in bilateral ties

WARNING AGAINST MEDDLING IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS

On U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson's meeting with Cuban dissidents during her historic visit last week, Castro said Cuba will not accept any interference from the United States in its internal affairs.

It is the first time the elder Castro, who retired from politics in 2008 due to poor health, openly spoke of the announcement of restoring Cuban-U.S. diplomatic relations made by his younger brother and Obama on Dec. 17.

In the address, he laid out the conditions to normalize ties with the United States, demanding that Washington first lift the half-century trade embargo on Cuba, return the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, compensate his country for damages, and remove Havana from a terror list.

HAVANA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Cuba on Thursday ended the historic talks on restoring diplomatic relations, but both sides admitted "profound differences" still remain and much needs to be done before normalization of bilateral relations.

Castro also listed other obstacles to a rapprochement, including Washington's refusal to "return the Guantanamo Naval Base (to Cuba), stop radio and television broadcasts that violate international law, and provide fair compensation for the human and economic harm the country has suffered."

Obama said the next step would be the opening of embassies in their respective capitals, but stressed only the U.S. Congress has the power to lift the embargo.

However, he made it clear that he was committed to the talks despite his concern that Washington might try to stir up internal opposition within Cuba through greater telecommunications access and the Internet.

According to Psaki, the next round of the meeting in Washington between the two countries' delegations is on the agenda, but the exact date is yet to be decided.

In response to the former Cuban leader's stated lack of trust in Washington, Psaki said mutual lack of trust did exist between the two Cold War foes. "But we're working to build that trust."

"Everything appears to indicate that the aim is to foment an artificial political opposition via economic, political and communicational means," he told the CELAC summit.

U.S., Cuba conclude talks on diplomatic ties, with remaining differences

"The process toward normalizing ties will not be possible as long as the embargo exists," he said.

In an article published by Granma Tuesday, the elder Castro wrote that he does not trust the U.S. policies, but that does not mean a rejection to a peaceful solution of conflicts and dangers of war.

"We shared with the U.S. president our willingness to advance toward the normalization of bilateral relations once diplomatic relations are restored, which implies taking mutual measures to improve the atmosphere between both countries," said the Cuban leader.

BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cuban leader Raul Castro said Wednesday that the United States should clear some obstacles between the two countries before they can really embark on the restoration of diplomatic relations.

"If these problems are not resolved, the diplomatic rapprochement between Cuba and the United States would make no sense," he was quoted as saying.

He called the U.S. trade embargo the main stumbling block to normalizing ties between the two nations, according to Cuba's official daily Granma.

"We take his reference of international norms and principles as a positive sign and look forward to the Cuban government implementing those international norms and principles for a democratic, prosperous and stable Cuba," she said at a regular press conference.