EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels have voted to lift largely symbolic sanctions against Cuba to encourage democracy on the island. Though the five-year-old EU sanctions have been suspended since 2005, the decision is seen as a slight to the United States and its policy of isolating the country.
The U.S. has maintained a trade blockade of the island for almost fifty years.
AFP quoted sources as saying the policy remains subject to an annual review.
The U.S. has maintained a trade blockade of the island for almost fifty years.
AFP quoted sources as saying the policy remains subject to an annual review.
"There was an agreement to lift the sanctions against Cuba," a European diplomatic source said.
"They have agreed to have an annual review and in one year's time to assess the political dialogue with Cuba," she added. [source]
Describing the decision as "disappointing" Washington insists the Cuban
regime remains authoritarian despite reforms which followed the removal
of former leader Fidel Castro from office due to ill health.
"We think the Castros need to take a number of steps to
improve the human rights conditions for ordinary Cubans before any
sanctions are lifted," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon
Johndroe. [source]
Earlier State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters that the
United States did not intend to shift its position towards Cuba in
light of the decision by the EU foreign ministers.
"While we've seen some very minor cosmetic changes made by
this regime, we certainly don't see any kind of fundamental break with
the Castro dictatorship that would give us reason to believe that now
would be the time to lift sanctions or otherwise fundamentally alter
our policies," Casey told reporters prior to the EU's decision.
"So certainly, we would not be supportive of the EU or anyone else easing those restrictions at this time." [source]
The EU sanctions were imposed in 2003 after concerns over human rights abuses in Cuba however were suspended in 2005.
Image top right:Cuba's President Raul Castro. Credit: Trinidad News/flickr
";?>
And Pinochet wasn't a dictator?
And the Genocidal Counter-insurgency govt's the US installed in Honduras, El Salvador, etc.
Why do newspeople slavishly use the frame given them by the plutocrats? Ah, Manufacturing Consent among those raised to believe that the Good are those with all the Goods. The ancient Greeks remarked it too.
Ciao
Its good news for Cuba that the US still has an embargo. As politically it ties their hands as far as their involvement. Also lessens the chance of US death squads and US sponsored economic/social saboteurs getting near them. Its a shame the US doesn't offer it as an option for all countries. I am sure Porto Rico would consider it and Haiti might volunteer.
Again and again EU is dealing with the enemies of freedom and truth. Today as we see it is the dictatorial cuban regime, whom will they deal with tomorrow ?
North Corea ? Iran ? Mugabe ? Taliban ? Hisbollah ? Hamas ? Might happen, because the are shameless.
Pepe Engelmann
you dumb moron lost me right here: By Pepe Engelmann on June 25, 2008 2:20 PM
tracing
it won't matter. cooler heads will prevail.