Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, called on to add the Governments endorsement of the Declaration
The Declaration, based on a similar call adopted by the Australian
CFS’s calls on the U.S. government to end the illegal, unjust, and immoral
blockade, and to pay reparations to Cuba in recognition of the US$134 billion
of damages that have been caused by the blockade.
Jen Olsen, Coordinator of the Dunedin Branch NZ CFS, has contacted Foreign Minister Winston Peters seeking the
Governments endorsement of the Declaration*, while other Branches are contacting
local MP’s as well as unions and progressive organisations seeking their
support.
Under Obama, there was an
improvement in Cuba-US relations, but the current US government are activating
the controversial Title 111 of the Helms-Burton Act, which allows legal action
in the US against anyone who invests in Cuba.
This is intended to further
damage the Cuban economy,which has already suffered
from over fifty years of economic blockade.
"Canada, the EU, China and Russia have all
opposed Title 111" noted Jen in a media release, "I believe New
Zealand should publicly stand by Cuba and I have asked Mr Peters to endorse our
Declaration, which asks the Government to protect New Zealand investments in
Cuba and advocate internationally for the end of the Cuban blockade".
Take action
- Please help us draw attention to the injustice and consequences of the blockade, contact your union, your local MP, other progressive organisations and sign-on as an individual by sending an email to cusolch@gmail.com.
- And join Auckland Cuba Friendship for a protest picket at the US Consulate General, 23 Custom St East Friday, June 7th from 5-6pm
- Read and/or download a copy of the Declaration
* at the time of posting Jen had received acknowledgment of receipt but no formal reply from the minister
