[News] Cuban Foreign Ministry denounces escalating U.S. hostility

[Anti-Imperialist News]

http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2019-03-05/cuban-foreign-ministry-denounces-escalating-us-hostility 



  Cuban Foreign Ministry denounces escalating U.S. hostility

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba <http://en.granma.cu/archivo?a=2107> 
|March 5, 2019
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The U.S. State Department announced today the decision to allow, as of 
March 19 this year, the filing of lawsuits before U.S. courts under 
Title III of the Helms-Burton Act only against Cuban companies included 
on the List of Restricted Entities issued by that government in November 
of 2017, which was updated one year later.  This arbitrary and 
illegitimate list, intended to tighten the blockade and expand its 
extraterritorial effects, forbids U.S. citizens from engaging in direct 
financial transactions with the aforementioned entities.

The announcement made by the U.S. State Department also indicated that 
it would suspend for only 30 days the option of initiating legal action 
with the same purposes against other Cuban entities or foreign companies 
which maintain commercial or economic relations with Cuba.

Since its entry into effect in 1996, the Helms-Burton Act has sought to 
universalize the economic blockade through brutal and illegal pressures 
exerted by the United States against third countries, their governments, 
and companies.  It is intended to asphyxiate the Cuban economy, and 
generate or increase shortages among the population with the purpose of 
imposing in Cuba a government that serves the interests of the U.S.

Given the illegitimate character of the goals they pursue, which are 
contrary to international law, the Helms-Burton Act and the blockade 
arouse universal rejection, which has been reiterated for almost three 
decades within the most important regional and international fora.  The 
most recent example of this was the United Nations General Assembly 
meeting held on November 1, when this policy was rejected in 10 
consecutive votes, thus leaving the U.S. completely isolated.

Title II of the Helms-Burton Act states that the overthrowing of the 
revolutionary government, the subsequent tutelage by a U.S. intervenor 
and the subsequent establishment of a counterrevolutionary government 
subordinate to Washington,  that would no doubt pursue the return to, or 
compensation for, former owners of all properties they or their 
descendants might claim, regardless of whether or not they were U.S. 
citizens at the time the nationalizations took place, or the fact that 
they abandoned the property. During this entire period, the economic 
blockade would continue to be fully implemented.
Consequently, Cubans would be forced to return, reimburse or pay U.S. 
claimants for the house in which they live, the area on which their 
communities are built, the arable land where they cultivate produce, the 
school where their children are educated, the hospital or polyclinic 
where  they receive medical assistance, the place where their workplace 
is located or where they have a private business, and also sites used to 
provide subsidized services such as electricity, water, and 
communications enjoyed by the population.

This is an aspiration that can only be conceived by the minds of those 
who identify Cuba as a colonial possession.  According to the 
Helms-Burton Act, the economic blockade would be lifted only when that 
ambition is fulfilled.

This law relies on two fundamental lies: the notion that 
nationalizations carried out soon after the triumph of the Revolutionary 
were illegitimate or inappropriate, and that Cuba is a threat to the 
U.S. national security.

Cuban nationalizations were carried out in accordance with the law, 
strictly abiding by the Constitution and in accordance with 
international law. All nationalizations included processes of fair and 
appropriate compensation, something that the U.S. government refused to 
consider.  Cuba reached and honored global compensation agreements with 
other nations which are today investing in Cuba, such as Spain, 
Switzerland, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
The real threat to regional peace and security are the irresponsible 
declarations and actions of the U.S. government as well as the 
destabilization plans aimed at Latin America and the Caribbean, pursuing 
the express purpose of imposing the Monroe Doctrine.

The Reaffirmation of Cuban Dignity and Sovereignty Act of December 24, 
1996, states that the Helms-Burton Act is illegal, inapplicable, and has 
no legal value or effect whatsoever. It considers null and void any 
claim under that law by any individual or legal entity.

According to that law, claims for compensation for nationalized 
properties could be part of a process of negotiation on the based on 
equality and mutual respect between the governments of Cuba and the 
United States, and be “reviewed together with the indemnifications the 
Cuban state and people are entitled to as a result of the damages caused 
by the blockade and aggressions of every sort, for which the U.S. 
government is responsible”. It also makes it clear that those who resort 
to procedures or mechanisms under the Helms-Burton Act, to the detriment 
of others, will be excluded from possible future negotiations.

The Cuban Government reiterates to all economic partners and foreign 
companies operating in Cuba that full guarantees will be granted to 
foreign investments and joint projects. Article 28 of the Cuban 
Constitution, which was ratified by an overwhelming majority on February 
24, 2019, also recognizes these guarantees, which are additionally 
included in Law No. 118 on Foreign Investment of March 29, 2014.

Today’s decision imposes additional obstacles to our economic 
development and progress goals, but the United States will continue to 
fail to achieve its main objective of suppressing by force the sovereign 
will of Cubans and our determination to build socialism. The majority 
opinion of the peoples of Cuba and the United States, in favor of 
improved relations, and the development of civilized, respectful 
coexistence, will prevail.

Havana, March 4, 2019

-- 
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