[News] US to Vote ‘No’ on UN Resolution to End Blockade Against Cuba

[Anti-Imperialist News]

https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/US-to-Vote-No-on-UN-Resolution-to-End-Blockade-Against-Cuba-20171101-0005.html 



  US to Vote ‘No’ on UN Resolution to End Blockade Against Cuba

1 November 2017
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According to reports, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump 
will vote "no" against the annual U.N. General Assembly resolution 
demanding an end to the U.S. blockade of Cuba that was imposed in 1962.

Speaking at the General Assembly, titled, "Necessity of ending the 
economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States 
of America against Cuba," the representative of African states called 
the hardline stance taken by the current U.S. administration against 
Cuba as being "a step backward" that hampers Cuba's sustainable development.

He recalled Cuba's proud history on the African continent, actively 
participating in liberation struggles and its ongoing contribution to 
improving healthcare.

“The people of Africa will continue to remember this contribution,” he 
said, adding that Cuba has long been a responsible member of the 
international community.

The Venezuelan representative speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned 
Movement expressed full opposition to the promulgation of the economic, 
commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, which has lasted for 
over 55 years. He noted that the blockade is not only a contravention of 
international law, it is also a "criminal act" perpetrated by the most 
powerful government in the world to prevent a small Caribbean island 
from creating its own society.

The diplomat added that the blockade violates Cuba's right to interact 
with the international community, due to its extra-territorial reach in 
the forms of fines and restrictions on people and businesses that travel 
to and engage with Cuba.

This latest move by the United States follows an Oct. 3 decision to 
expel 15 Cuban diplomats following allegations of "sonic attacks" on 
U.S. diplomatic staff stationed in the U.S. embassy in Havana, which the 
Cuban government has investigated and denied.

Since 1992, successive administrations have voted "no" on the annual 
resolution before the general assembly. Former U.S. President Barack 
Obama broke with this predictability by abstaining from the vote in 2016 
as part of a new strategy of thawing relations with the socialist country.

Trump has rebuked his predecessor’s decision to open relations with 
Cuba. The administration has planned to re-impose strict travel 
restrictions for U.S. citizens to the island nation and close holes in 
the blockade that made it possible for investment in certain areas of 
the Cuban economy, including agriculture, technology, and tourism.

"We plan to vote against the resolution to underscore this new approach 
to Cuba," Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman, said in a 
statement. "The Trump administration policy gives greater emphasis in 
advancing human rights and democracy in Cuba, while maintaining 
engagement that serves U.S. national interests."

    *RELATED: *
    JFK Files Reveal US Plotted to Use Biological Weapons in Cuba
    <https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/JFK-Files-Reveal-US-Plotted-to-Use-Biological-Weapons-in-Cuba-20171029-0011.html>

She added, "Cuba has engaged in human rights abuses. This administration 
continues to call upon Cuba to improve in terms of human rights, and 
also open up to where they would have better media access, better access 
to the things that we enjoy here."

The annual resolution has been all but universally supported by the 
193-member body of the general assembly. Only two countries have 
consistently voted against the resolution in recent years — the U.S. and 
Israel.

-- 
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