Jimmy Carter: Cuba Relations Should Be Improved By Next President

Carter: Next President Should Improve Ties With Cuba
Former President Jimmy Carter speaks at the 16th annual CAF conference, in Washington Monday, Sep. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Former President Jimmy Carter speaks at the 16th annual CAF conference, in Washington Monday, Sep. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

BY JOSH LEDERMAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Former President Jimmy Carter says anti-Castro leaders in Florida have a major and exaggerated influence on the presidential election in that battleground state.

Criticizing U.S. policy, Carter says he thinks most Cuban-Americans want open borders and an end to the trade embargo.

He says he hopes the next president will act forcefully to improve relations with Cuba, no matter who wins. But he says he prefers that President Barack Obama win re-election.

Carter is also calling for Cuba to be removed from the U.S. State Department's list of state sponsors of terror. Cuba has been on that list since 1982.

Carter spoke to a meeting of Latin America's development bank in Washington. His comments came as Mitt Romney's campaign is working to link Obama to unpopular aspects of Carter's legacy.

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