EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE CUBAN RESOLUTION

EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE CUBAN RESOLUTION Cuba received the express support of important groups of countries for its demand for an end to the blockade. When the General Assembly session on the issue was opened, the Mexican representative was the first to speak in favor of the anti-blockade resolution.
In succession so did Morocco, on behalf of the Group of 77 plus China; Jamaica, for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); and Malaysia, which presides over the Non-Aligned Movement.
Each of them firmly expressed their opposition to the prolonged policy of harassment in violation of the UN Charter, international law and freedom of trade and navigation.
Viet Nam referred to interference in the sovereignty of states and the non-justification of a blockade that has been unable to force Cubans to give up their efforts to construct a more just society.
After Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque`s speech, received with an ovation, representatives from other countries added their words of support to the resolution presented by Cuba.
The first to do so was the Namibian representative, who maintained that the application of that policy of hostility constitutes an obstacle to the millennium development goals.
South Africa lamented that the issue had to be discussed yet again, despite reiterated calls from the international community to the United States and stated that it was no surprise that the overwhelming majority continues to support the resolution under debate.
For his part the Tanzanian speaker spoke of the violations to freedom of trade and how this has worsened with the Torricelli and Helms-Burton Acts, which have caused fresh damage to the Cuban economy and that of third countries.
Venezuela shared the general condemnation of the U.S. measures, which constitute a flagrant violation of Cubans' human rights. It called on the General Assembly to adopt measures to repeal legislation such as the Torricelli and Helms-Burton Acts.
Sudan reiterated the right of nations to their self-determination and urged a rejection of any attempt to impose unilateral decisions against states.
Iran called on the international community to demand an end to the blockade and to prevent the utilization of food and medicine as instruments of political pressure.
Guinea noted how the continuity of the proposal in the UN symbolizes cohesive world opposition to the U.S. hostile measures against Cuba.
The representatives of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Syria, Indonesia and Laos spoke in similar terms. Given the number of countries that had asked to speak and the length of the debate, the president of the General Assembly decided to move to an immediate vote on the resolution.