U.N. Votes To End U.S. Embargo Against Cuba 187-3, RTT, Oct 29, 09

The United Nations General Assembly-UNGA, has called on the Obama administration to end Washington's Cold War-era trade embargo against Cuba that has cost the communist nation's economy tens-of-billions of dollars over the years.

The overwhelming non-binding vote, condemning the 47-year-old embargo, was backed by 187 countries, ranging from Latin American neighbors of Cuba to members of the European Union besides other close U.S. allies. Only Israel and tiny Palau supported the United States, while Micronesia and the Marshall Islands abstained.

This was the 19th time in a row the U.N. voted to adopt the symbolic measure, which has become an annual ritual to show the global disapproval of America's hardline stance toward the small, communist island, and the first time since Barack Obama became President.

The number of countries opposing the U.S. measure has grown steadily since 1992, when 59 countries voted in favor of the resolution. The figure was 179 in 2004, 182 in 2005, 184 in 2007, and 185 last year.

However, the Obama administration, which came to power earlier this year, in a departure from the previous ones, eased the financial and travel restrictions on Americans with relatives on the island.

Addressing the assembly, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla termed the U.S. embargo as a "massive, flagrant and systemic" violation of human rights and an "act of arrogance" that has cost the Cuban economy tens-of-billions of dollars over the years and deprived children of needed medical care.

It continues to be an absurd policy which causes suffering (to the Cuban people), and in the Geneva Convention of 1948 it was described as a genocide act and it is ethically unacceptable, he added.

Both Venezuela and Argentina welcomed the condemnation by the UNGA of the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez thanked "the world for this moral support with whom we advance step by step in an attempt to destroy the embargo."

Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana was reported as saying that his government "expects the U.S. to respect the strong opinion of the international community" on lifting its embargo against Cuba.

"We have voted against the embargo years ago. We consider the embargo to be completely out of place and time," Taiana added.

Countering the charges, Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations said it is wrong to blame U.S. sanctions for deprivation in Cuba.

Calling the Cuban statement hostile and reminiscent of the Cold War era, she said the Obama administration is committed to trying to write a new chapter in relations with Cuba by engaging the Havana government.

U.S. Defends Cuba Policy

The U.S. says it will not lift the embargo, imposed nearly five decades ago at the height of the Cold War when Cuba was a Soviet ally, until the small communist island accepts some political, economic, and social changes.

Wednesday, the Obama administration defended the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba saying it has altered its predecessors policy by opening dialogue with Cuba on several fronts, but reiterated it has no intention to reward Havana by lifting sanctions until it acts on human rights violations.

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