U.S. blockade Causes Billions in Losses

The  blockade has cost Cuba over 750 billion dollars in direct economic damage
The U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade has cost Cuba over 750 billion dollars in direct economic damages in half a century, reads a report introduced today by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

This figure reveals that despite there is a new US government, allegedly inspired by the philosophy of change, there hasn’t been any change in its policy towards the island, said the Cuban Minister.

Rodriguez Parrilla presented today to the domestic and foreign press the report on the subject that Cuba will take to the 65 regular session of the UN General Assembly.


An act of genocide

He called the blockade an act of genocide that has extraterritorial reach, since its unilateral sanctions would have a widespread effect on business outside the U.S. territory over third countries and their citizens.

He denounced that Cuba continues being prevented from exporting or importing goods and services freely to or from United States; it cannot use the US dollar in international transactions or have accounts in that currency in banks of third countries, and it is not allowed access to credit from U.S. banks , its subsidiaries and institutions under its control.

He cited statements made to NBC by the economic adviser to President Barack Obama Lawrence Summers, according to which, the lifting of the embargo, as he euphemistically call it “will depend on what Cuba does”

No intention to change

 “It is clear that the United States government harbors no intention to change in its policy toward Cuba, or to comply with the repeated resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations calling for its removal,” said the minister.

On the contrary, he said, they still cling to interventionist unacceptable conditions and requirements as a condition for a correction of their strategy.

Although he had a considerable political support in Congress, in the press, public opinion and the business sector, President Obama has been far below the expectations of its prerogative to alter significant aspects of policy, he said.

It is a smoking mirror the claim that the U.S. president cannot change the economic, commercial and financial siege that has lasted half a century, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Violation of basic international norms and continued political subversion
 
However, he warned, the current U.S. administration, violating basic international standards, continues using political subversion as a weapon in its confrontation with Cuba and approved, to promote such programs, 40 million US dollars for the 2009 and 2010 fiscal years

In 2009 representatives of 187 countries showed their support to Cuba at the Un General Assembly, with only three against: U.S., Israel and Palau, the last two dependent on the first.

The 65 session of the General Assembly of the United Nations began on Tuesday and there will be a debate with the participation of Heads of State and Ministers of Foreign Affairs. It will run from September 23 to the 30.
Source
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On Resolution 64/6 of the United Nations General Assembly

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United Nations Documents

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
62/3. Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba


Reports of the Secretary-General at the United Nations on the Us Blockade Against Cuba

2005    2006   2007  2008