The US State Department has announced that Cuba has been removed from the US list of state sponsors of terror, a move which clears the way for restoring relations after half a century. br br A spokesman for the state department emphasised that the terror list review was a separate process from the ongoing negotiations to restore diplomatic relations. br br “We’ve issued this morning a statement about the rescission of Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The review of Cuba’s designation a state sponsor of terror was instructed by the president and we have had a separate process of discussions with the Cuban government about re-establishing diplomatic relations and re-opening embassies. We see these as separate,” said Jeff Rathke.br br Cuba’s government had demanded removal from the list as a condition for normal relations between the two Cold War foes.br br For Cubans queuing up for US visas the decision has been a long time coming.