U.N. votes against U.S. embargo on Cuba for 19th year

U.N. votes against U.S. embargo on Cuba for 19th year
1 hour 20 mins ago

The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to urge the United States to lift a 48-year-old economic embargo against Cuba, making a now ritual call despite some U.S. easing towards the communist-run island.

The assembly passed a nonbinding resolution -- with 187 votes in favour, two against and three abstentions -- for the 19th consecutive year, reflecting the world's disapproval of Washington's long-standing effort to isolate Havana.

President Barack Obama's administration has taken some steps to lessen hostility with Cuba, but has not come close to lifting the trade embargo -- part of U.S. policy to promote human rights in Cuba -- because it is seen as too risky in domestic politics.

The latest assembly resolution came just a week before U.S. congressional elections in which Obama's Democrats are forecast to lose ground.

More:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20101026/tpl-uk-cuba-embargo-un-20b2d2f.html

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CDA Statement: U.N. General Assembly Repudiates U.S. Embargo of Cuba

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.N. General Assembly has voted 187-2 in favor of a resolution condemning the U.S. embargo of Cuba.

Sarah Stephens of the Center for Democracy in the Americas released the following statement about the vote:

"When you count the costs of the U.S. embargo of Cuba – our damaged reputation internationally, the harm we do to Cubans, and our isolation from the changes and reforms taking place on the island – it is truly bewildering that the U.S. continues to pursue this policy and that President Obama enforces it with such vigor. This lopsided vote in the U.N. ought to be a lesson for U.S. policy makers that the sell-by date on this flawed policy is long in the past and it should be replaced with engagement without further delay."

This is the 19th consecutive year the U.N. General Assembly has approved the anti-embargo resolution. The vote occurred as the European Union voted to explore closer relations with the government of Cuba.

More:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cda-statement--un-general-assembly-repudiates-us-embargo-of-cuba-105800553.html

U.S. embargo against Cuba serves no justifiable purpose in 21st century: Caribbean Community
09:11, October 27, 2010

The Caribbean Community ( CARICOM) on Tuesday said the U.S. embargo against Cuba "serves no justifiable legal, political or moral purpose in the 21st century. "

The statement came as Ambassador to the UN of the Bahamas Paulette Bethel, spoke on behalf of CARICOM at a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly on "the necessity of ending economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba."

"Over 70 percent of Cubans alive today were born under the Embargo. CARICOM considers the embargo an anachronism that has succeeded only in contributing to the suffering of generations of ordinary Cubans, and in unnecessarily increasing tensions between the United States and Cuba," said Bethel.

Imposed on Cuba in October 1960, the U.S. embargo is of particular concern to CARICOM, noted the statement.

More:
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/7178739.html

No US President or Senator can afford the political cost of having Castro's gloating face on the front pages of every paper in the world as the "winner" in the US-Cuban showdown. Once enough political prestige is invested any other costs become irrelevant. No the embargo will grind on until InFidel dies, then it can be disbanded without any major difficulty.

Its a matter of ending an act of collective punishment by the USA against the entire Cuban population.

The embargo will grind on until the Miami Cubans, who seem to have straightened out sufficient members of Congress to ensure there is never a sufficient majority to end the emabrgo, give up their futile quest to have their land and factories restored to their ownership.

In the US political campaigns discovering and working on funding streams is a near full time job.

Neither pro nor anti sanction supporting politicians want this campaign cash cow to end. As you probably know, its a mixed group of Rs and Ds on both sides of the issue. Representatives from Indiana to Connecticut tantalize campaign funding from a wide and mixed group of business interests (some multinational interests too) who profit in one way or another from keeping US sanctions on Cuba. The same goes for the anti sanctions factions and the politicians who seek campaign funding - by any means necessary.

Of course, this "special interests" funding of US campaigns is an embarrassment to democracy, and outrages many in the US (though most are confused, and refuse to push for legitimate campaign funding reform - in the way of public campaign financing). So, a convenient face-saving cover story is needed for all of this corruption that does result in the collective punishment you mention.

Perfect..... Miami Cuban exiles (.08 of 1% of the US population).

Imo, it is an act of denial of the American political reality to blame the hugely (campaign funding-wise) profitable sanctions on Cuba on the extremest micro minority of Cuban exiles in the USA. But, its working. I've read and heard this over and over for decades now. It is now a fully engrained meme in American politics. We Americans excuse our egregious maltreatment of Cubans by blaming it on Cubans.

Pathetic. :(


:hi:

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Caricom supports UN resolution to end embargo
CMC
Thursday, October 28, 2010

UNITED NATIONS — Caribbean Community countries have supported a United Nations resolution calling on the United States to end its decades’ old economic embargo against Cuba.

The 192-member United Nations body voiced concern about the “adverse effects” of such measures on the Cuban people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries in the non-binding resolution.

The text was supported by 187 countries while the United States and Israel voted against. There were three abstentions.

The resolution reiterated previous calls on countries “to refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures” that do not conform to their obligations to reaffirm freedom of trade and navigation.

More:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Caricom-supports-UN-resolution-on-ending-Cuba-embargo

Pity, isn't it? Israel even has been involved in business in Cuba at various levels, over the years, and sends groups of children there on tours. Very, very odd.

Stupid, but not odd.

We support Israel's dumb positions in the UN, and in turn they support ours.

The nativist right-wing i.e. Buchanan types (who, on a side note although I don't like I respect more than the neo-cons because they are generally up-front about who they are and what the believe) think the U.S. should leave the U.N.

Frankly I am starting to wonder if the U.N. should kick the U.S. out for ten years. I think it would set a good example and perhaps live up more to the dream that it was founded on.

The UN Security Council is the only body which imposes sanctions. The General Assembly has no teeth. To make the UN more effective, the Security Council would have to change. More members, and no veto members allowed, plus a supermajority vote of 67 % of nations plus the requirement that those represent at least 67 % of the world´s population, to impose sanctions. This way when the UN votes to do something then the resolution has teeth. And they could start by imposing sanctions on Israel.