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Jimmy Carter: Obama-Castro Handshake ‘Was Something Significant’

by Tom Kludt

12.10.13 | 5:44 am

In this image from TV, US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, in the rain for a memorial service for former South African President Nelson ... In this image from TV, US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, in the rain for a memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013. MORE LESS

While some have downplayed the significance of President Barack Obama’s handshake with Cuban President Raul Castro Tuesday at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service, at least one former U.S. president hopes the gesture is a harbinger of things to come.

Former President Jimmy Carter told CNN that the handshake “was something significant” and expressed hope that it “will be an omen for the future”:

JUST IN-Jimmy Carter to CNN on Castro/Obama: “I think it was something significant…I hope that will be an omen for the future.”

— Vaughn Sterling (@vplus) December 10, 2013

Shortly before he eulogized Mandela at FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Obama shook hands with Castro, along with other world leaders.

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Tom Kludt Tom Kludt is a reporter for Talking Points Memo based in New York City, covering media and national affairs. Originally from South Dakota, Tom joined TPM as an intern in late-2011 and became a staff member during the 2012 election. He can be reached at tom@talkingpointsmemo.com.

Jimmy Carter: Obama-Castro Handshake ‘Was Something Significant’

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