BY SUSAN FITZGERALD
NEW YORK — On November 4, the UN General Assembly voted by a record majority (179 in favour, three against and two abstentions) to demand an end to the four-decade-long economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States government.
The 15 members of the European Union, including Washington's Iraq war ally Britain, along with the pro-US governments of Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all voted for the resolution. Only the US, Israel and the Marshall Islands voted against, while Morocco and Micronesia abstained.
The resolution also expressed concern at the continued promulgation and application of US laws and regulations that affect the sovereignty of other states and freedom of trade and navigation.
The General Assembly for the 12th straight year voted overwhelmingly to reject what Havana called attempted "genocide" on the part of Washington. Similar resolutions have been adopted by increasing majorities each year since 1992. Last year's vote was 173 to three with four abstentions. The resolutions are not legally binding.
While US President George Bush is moving to enforce the travel and trade ban in an attempt to woo right-wing Cuban-Americans, sections of US big business and the farm lobby favour a relaxation of the trade restrictions so that more US goods can be sold in Cuba. The US Senate last month voted 59-36 to bar the use of government money to enforce travel restrictions, while the House of Representatives voted in September to ease travel restrictions. Bush has threatened to veto the legislation.
Just prior to the UN vote, a fruit-drink company based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, became one of nine US companies to sign contracts with Alimport, Cuba's state import company. The US$500,000 deal is likely to be derailed by Washington.
From Green Left Weekly, November 12, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.