But the administration doesn't believe that while there are repressive measures in place in Cuba, they should reward the government by lifting the economic sanctions that could assist them.
The Obama Administration has said the suggestion that the United States is not assisting Cuba is false. US is the major providers of humanitarian assistance to Cuba.
"But we don't believe that while there are repressive measures in place in Cuba, that we should reward the Government of Cuba by lifting the economic sanctions that could assist the Government of Cuba in its repression of its own citizens," state department spokesman, Ian Kelly, told reporters at his daily news briefing.
"The United States believes it has the sovereign right to conduct its economic relationship with Cuba as determined by US national interests," he said. "Sanctions on Cuba are designed to permit humanitarian items to reach the Cuban people, while denying the Cuban Government resources that it could use to repress its citizens," he said in response to a question.
Kelly said the US is a leading source of food and humanitarian relief to Cuba. "In 2008, US exported USD 717 million in agricultural products, medical devices, medicine, wood, and humanitarian items to Cuba," he said.
Noting that sanctions are one part of the US policy approach to Cuba, Kelly said in recent months the Obama Administration have reached out to the Cuban people. "We have taken steps to promote the free flow of information, we have lifted restrictions on family visits, and we have expanded the kinds and amounts of humanitarian items that the American people can donate to Cuba," he said.
"We have also taken steps to establish a more constructive dialogue with Cuba. We have re-established dialogues on migration, and we have initiated talks to reestablish direct mail service," Kelly said.
Kelly said the Obama Administration remains focused on the need for improved human rights conditions and respect for fundamental freedoms in Cuba. "We would need to see improvements in those areas before we could normalise relations with Havana," he said.
Responding to a question, the State Department spokesman said the Obama Administration believes that it is not the right time to lift sanctions. "We do not think it’s time to lift that embargo. We will consider that when the Government of Cuba starts to make some positive steps towards loosening up its repression of its own people," Kelly said.
The Obama Administration's policy on Cuba is designed to try and move the country to doing the right thing towards its own people, he argued. "They have not taken the kind of steps to show us that they are willing to open up their society and open up their economy. And until they do these things, we are not willing to change our policy," he said.
"We are looking to try and put our relationship with Cuba on a more productive path," Kelly said.
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