White House: Cuba can act now to improve relations

[Jimmy2]

The Associated Press

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE -- A White House spokesman says Cuban leaders can release political prisoners and stop skimming money right now if they are serious about working with the United States.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Friday aboard the president's airplane that officials were struck by Cuban President Raul Castro's openness to admit change might be needed in relations with the United States. The White House also says Cuban officials should expand press freedoms.

Gibbs says President Barack Obama will address Cuba during his opening remarks at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. Obama landed mid-afternoon on the two-island nation.