U.N. votes against U.S. embargo on Cuba for 19th year

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

U.N. votes against U.S. embargo on Cuba for 19th year
1 hour 20 mins ago

The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to urge the United States to lift a 48-year-old economic embargo against Cuba, making a now ritual call despite some U.S. easing towards the communist-run island.

The assembly passed a nonbinding resolution -- with 187 votes in favour, two against and three abstentions -- for the 19th consecutive year, reflecting the world's disapproval of Washington's long-standing effort to isolate Havana.

President Barack Obama's administration has taken some steps to lessen hostility with Cuba, but has not come close to lifting the trade embargo -- part of U.S. policy to promote human rights in Cuba -- because it is seen as too risky in domestic politics.

The latest assembly resolution came just a week before U.S. congressional elections in which Obama's Democrats are forecast to lose ground.



Read more: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20101026/tpl-uk-cuba-embargo-un-20b2d2f.html

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CDA Statement: U.N. General Assembly Repudiates U.S. Embargo of Cuba

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.N. General Assembly has voted 187-2 in favor of a resolution condemning the U.S. embargo of Cuba.

Sarah Stephens of the Center for Democracy in the Americas released the following statement about the vote:

"When you count the costs of the U.S. embargo of Cuba – our damaged reputation internationally, the harm we do to Cubans, and our isolation from the changes and reforms taking place on the island – it is truly bewildering that the U.S. continues to pursue this policy and that President Obama enforces it with such vigor. This lopsided vote in the U.N. ought to be a lesson for U.S. policy makers that the sell-by date on this flawed policy is long in the past and it should be replaced with engagement without further delay."

This is the 19th consecutive year the U.N. General Assembly has approved the anti-embargo resolution. The vote occurred as the European Union voted to explore closer relations with the government of Cuba.

More:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cda-statement--un-general-assembly-repudiates-us-embargo-of-cuba-105800553.html

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Holding our ground!

:woohoo:

[EFerrari]

2. Changey.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. The ONLY reason we maintain it is for fear of the Cuban exile lobby -

which, I suspect, if we ever really challenged it would turn out to be a mirage. 20 years ago it might have meant something, but we have two generations now who are Americans, not exiles, not Cuban Americans, but simply Americans whose grandparents came from Cuba.

It is NOT a bloc anymore, no matter how much a few activists might want us to think it is.

[Socal31]

4. Somebody let me know when I can have some rum on a lovely Cuban beach.

End this madness already.

[Judi Lynn]

5. U.S. embargo against Cuba serves no justifiable purpose in 21st century: Caribbean Community

U.S. embargo against Cuba serves no justifiable purpose in 21st century: Caribbean Community
09:11, October 27, 2010

The Caribbean Community ( CARICOM) on Tuesday said the U.S. embargo against Cuba "serves no justifiable legal, political or moral purpose in the 21st century. "

The statement came as Ambassador to the UN of the Bahamas Paulette Bethel, spoke on behalf of CARICOM at a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly on "the necessity of ending economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba."

"Over 70 percent of Cubans alive today were born under the Embargo. CARICOM considers the embargo an anachronism that has succeeded only in contributing to the suffering of generations of ordinary Cubans, and in unnecessarily increasing tensions between the United States and Cuba," said Bethel.

Imposed on Cuba in October 1960, the U.S. embargo is of particular concern to CARICOM, noted the statement.

More:
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/7178739.html

[Judi Lynn]

6. Caricom supports UN resolution to end embargo

Caricom supports UN resolution to end embargo
CMC
Thursday, October 28, 2010

UNITED NATIONS — Caribbean Community countries have supported a United Nations resolution calling on the United States to end its decades’ old economic embargo against Cuba.

The 192-member United Nations body voiced concern about the “adverse effects” of such measures on the Cuban people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries in the non-binding resolution.

The text was supported by 187 countries while the United States and Israel voted against. There were three abstentions.

The resolution reiterated previous calls on countries “to refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures” that do not conform to their obligations to reaffirm freedom of trade and navigation.

More:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Caricom-supports-UN-resolution-on-ending-Cuba-embargo