In what is a major step forward in reestablishing relations between the United States and Cuba, the State Department officially announced that it was removing Havana from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, thereby eliminating a key hurdle in normalizing ties. The announcement came as the 45 day deadline for a congressional challenge to President Barack Obama's decision to remove Cuba from the list expired. Two sources told ABC news that next week an announcement will be made on the formal reestablishment of diplomatic relations. Pending issues include the U.S. demand for free movement for its diplomatic personnel around Cuba and Havana's call for Washington to stop using its diplomatic mission to train and foment the so-called dissidents and the continued existence of the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba. Right-wing legislators in Washington opposed to the thaw in relations have pledged to block the naming of a U.S. ambassador to the island. teleSUR