Cuban reporter asks Josh Earnest a question (or 6)

WASHINGTON — Cuban journalists packed the White House briefing room Thursday to cover ongoing diplomatic talks, leading to an extraordinary moment as a Cuban reporter asked questions of an American president's press secretary for what might have been the first time ever.

That reporter was Cristina Escobar of Cuba's national television network, who got the last question for White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. She immediately fit right in alongside her American counterparts, asking a four-part question on a wide range of Cuban issues — with a two-part follow-up.

"First, do you think that it's possible to see the scenario in which we will open embassies in Havana and Washington? And in that future scenario, is the administration committed to be more respectful of the Vienna Convention towards the behavior of the American diplomats in Havana, for example? Do you think the programs for regime change will go on or not? Do you have any remarks on that? And on the other way, do think that President Obama will also continue sing his exec prerogative to expand the links, the bonds, with Cuba?"

Earnest said the talks about normalizing relations with Cuba — which continued for a fourth round of talks in Washington this week — were focusing on the ability of U.S. diplomats to have freedom of movement around the island nation. He said the United States wanted an agreement that would "allow U.S. diplomats in Cuba to do what U.S. diplomats do in countries around the world, which is to not just engage the leaders of the government, but also to engage the people."

That has been the central tenet of President Obama's Cuba policy: That more economic, diplomatic and cultural engagement with Cuba will bring about a more democratic Cuba.

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Earnest's answers highlighted the irony of a Cuban reporter being allowed to ask questions of U.S. officials she couldn't ask of Cuba's leaders. "There are too many Cuban political activists, Cuban journalists, who see their freedom of speech, their freedom of assembly, their freedom of expression trampled by the Cuban government," he said.

At least a dozen Cuban journalists attended Thursday's briefing, which featured questions about trade, the Islamic State, Tunisia, the Patriot Act, gays in the boy scouts and the Export-Import Bank before Earnest called on Yahoo News reporter Olivier Knox. Knox, noting the presence of Cuban journalists, encouraged Earnest to answer one of their questions.

Escobar's final question was a softball: "Do you think that it's possible to see President Obama in Havana before 2016?"

"I know that he would relish the opportunity to visit the island of Cuba, and Havana in particular," Earnest said.

Follow Gregory Korte on Twitter @gregorykorte.