Cuba's 10th Annual UN Resolution to End the U.S. Blockade Receives Overwhelming Support
On November 27th, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque presented Cuba's annual resolution to the United Nations General Assembly calling for an end to the U.S. blockade against Cuba. The vote was 167 in favour, three against (United States, Israel and the Marshall Islands), with three abstentions. This is the same vote count as last year.
In his introductory remarks, Roque pointed out that the recent authorization by the U.S. of a one-time sale to Cuba of food, medicines and raw materials for the production of medicines is an unusual gesture by that country and is appreciated by Cuba. This one-time sale was negotiated after Cuba's response to last month's American offer of assistance of a team of experts to assess the damage from Hurricane Michelle. That offer was received graciously by Cuba, but declined. Instead, Cuba requested this one-time cash purchase of materials. However, if this initiative does go through, it will in no way ameliorate 40 years of the blockade, Roque added.
The U.S. blockade consists of a myriad of laws and regulations which specifically prohibit trade and other relations between Cuba and the United States. Roque pointed out that the blockade is the main obstacle to Cuba's economic development and is responsible for the hardship and suffering of millions of Cubans. Roque called on the United States to unilaterally lift its blockade and end its economic war against Cuba. At the same time, he stressed that Cuba would never be willing to make concessions that impinge on its principles or independence in exchange for the ending of a blockade, which is illegal, violates the Charter of the United Nations and all norms of international trade, as well as the freedom of navigation.
The U.S. blockade, Roque pointed out, has caused economic damage to Cuba in excess of $70 billion. This must be added to the damage inflicted by 40 years of U.S. armed aggression, sabotage and terrorism against Cuba. Yet, despite the fac that the blockade has been overwhelmingly rejected by the world year after year, the U.S. persists.
Roque elaborated all of these points and called on the U.S. to end its policy of aggression against Cuba and establish normal relations. He called for the repeal of the Helms-Burton Act and the Toricelli Act, which impose heavy sanctions on companies, both American and foreign, that deal with Cuba. He also demanded the annulment of the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966. This legislation encourages illegal emigration from Cuba to the U.S. and has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cubans in the waters between the two countries, including 13 children and 17 adults killed this past week in a smuggling operation shipwreck. It would also include ending TV and radio propaganda broadcasts directed against Cuba, the removal of Cuba from the U.S. list of terrorist states, the relinquishment of the territory occupied by the Guantanamo Naval Base, and many other acts of aggression.