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A little note on Cuba
A little note on Cuba
During a UN plenary meeting on 21st Oct. 2004 179 countries voted for Cuba´s resolution to condemn the blockade (4 votes against the resolution, 1 vote withheld). For the thirteenth time in a row a clear majority of the international state community voted against the blockade politics upheld by the USA.
Undoubtably this was an important victory for Cuba. Although these kinda polls only have a noncommittal character, one must critically question the motives behind the various countries voting decisions.
The majority of EU countries is against the blockade, because they hope to gain economically once these would be lifted. Furthermore most countries feel that the USA´s aggressive blockade policy only delays a change in the political and economic landscape in Cuba. Here, and only here, are the main differences between the USA and EU.
Cuba´s right to be a sovereign and independent state, not to mention the right of self-defence also hardly exist for the rulers of EU states.
The nomination of C. Rize to be the next Secretary of State and C. Gutierrez to head the US Department of Commerce (ex CEO of Kelloggs and an exile Cuban) thru president W. Bush just undermines the US continuous hostile attitude towards Cuba.
On the contrary one can observe that countries in Latin America have the tendency to work more closely together to escape the US stranglehold, created especially thru all their FTAs (Free Trade Agreements).
Particularly the success of the referendum in Venezuela which was won by Mr. Chavez and the historic victory of Frente Amplio in Uruguay was a slap in the face for the US admin.
On the other hand the EU does not pose a great opposition to US politics towards Cuba.
The Leftists within European parliament continue to be rather passive. The fraction of the Leftists within the European parliament were not even able to formulate their own Cuba-proposal.
Last November Cuba´s foreign minister Roque announced the normalization of the relationship between Cuba and Spain. For quite some time the new Spanish government has been engaged in trying to losen the EUs sactions towards Cuba. As a sign of appreciation the Cuban government released a couple of political prisioners, which were imprisoned on April 2003.
Cuba clearly shows to be open for negotiations and it is about time that the EU doesn´t ignore that and starts its own politics towards Cuba independently (and not just follow the US politics) and work on getting rid of the embargo because it only harms the Cuban people.
Nobody is saying that everything is great in Cuba, but it´s by far not as horrible as one could conclude from mainstream media reports.
Time for Solidiarity with Cuba!!
~peace~
