US embargo caused over US$104 billion direct economic damages to Cuba

[Lankan Ranger]

US embargo caused over US$104 billion direct economic damages to Cuba

The Cuban ambassador to The Gambia has said that the direct economic damages to Cuba caused by the implementation of the United States’ economic, commercial and financial blockade, based on current prices and very conservative estimates, amounts to more than US$104 billion as of December 2010.

According to Ines Fors Fernandez, taking into account the extreme devaluation of the dollar against the price of gold on the international financial market during 2010-2011 continual trends, the damages caused to the Cuban economy will exceed US$975 billion dollars.

Ambassador Fernandez made these remarks Wednesday at the Cuban Embassy along Kairaba Avenue during a press conference on the occasion of the presentation of resolution “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by United States against Cuba” at the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which opened in New York on Wednesday.

She said the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba has been maintained and further tightened despite the growing and categorical demand by the international community in particular, and the United Nations General Assembly for its elimination.

“While the current US government has taken some positive steps, they are insufficient and extremely limited in scope. Furthermore, they are not intended to alter the complex structures of laws, regulations and provisions that make up the blockade policy against Cuba,” she noted.

The Cuban diplomat stated that the blockade violates international laws, runs contrary to the purpose and principals of the United Nations Charter, and constitutes a contravention of a sovereign state’s right to peace, development and security.

She continued: “It’s essence and objectives, the blockade represent an act of unilateral aggression and a permanent threat against the stability of a nation. The blockade constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of human rights of an entire people. It also violates the constitutional rights of US citizens by denying them the freedom to travel to Cuba, and encroaches on the sovereign rights of many other states of its extraterritorial nature.

The blockade continues to be an absurd, illegal and morally unjustifiable policy which has not succeeded and never will succeed in undermining the Cuban people’s patriotic decision to defend its sovereignty, independence and right to self-determination.”

Ambassador Fernandez said the blockade only succeeded in subjecting the Cuban population to shortages and needless suffering, restricting and hindering the development of the country and seriously damaging the Cuban economy. She added that it is the greatest obstacle Cuba faces in its economic development.

She described the blockade as an unilateral and immoral policy, which is condemned both within the United States and by the international community. “Once again, Cuba is confident that it can count on the support of the international community in its legitimate demand for an end of the blockade,” she added.

http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/ar...mic-damages-on-cuba-says-ambassador-fernandez

 

[DV RULES]

Russia confirms support for Cuba in struggle vs US economic blockade


Russia reaffirmed its support for Cuba in struggle against the US economic blockade, said on Saturday in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Dagoberto Rodriguez by the results of consultations in the Russian capital.

“This question is constantly on the agenda of our talks. The Russian side reaffirmed its historic and constant support for Cuba in struggle against the US economic blockade,” the diplomat emphasized. “The entire world comes out against the blockade. Regrettably, the US ignores this fact. But the day will come when it will have to do this.”

“The blockade tells negatively not only on Cubans, but also on US citizens, since this is a glaring violation of human rights to travel. This interferes with establishing commercial relations between US and Cuban businessmen,” Rodriguez said. “Cooperation could be very advantageous in the spheres of science, culture and education.”

In the deputy minister’s opinion, the blockade reflects fear and unwillingness of the US administration to permit citizens to get acquainted with the real Cuba. “If they know the real Cuba, we are sure they will be direct opponents of the blockade, since this is a senseless, irrational, illegal and unjust action,” Rodriguez said in conclusion.



ITAR-TASS : Russia confirms support for Cuba in struggle vs US economic blockade

 

[Fanling Monk]

And they make it sound so righteous.

 

[silko]

you shouldn't blame USA, if anyone is to be blamed it's the Cubans in exile in Florida!

they're the one who keep a pressure on the government to not trade with Cuba.

 

[gambit]

Damages? Looks like no one bothered to look up the proper context and meaning of the word.

 

[Raphael]

Cuban exiles are a bit like Vietnamese exiles. Totally willing to throw their motherland under the bus to please the white man.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Cuban exiles are a bit like Vietnamese exiles. Totally willing to throw their motherland under the bus to please the white man.

Mr. Raphael, I see that you are another of the yellow racists that the PRC has spawned.

 

[gambit]

Mr. Raphael, I see that you are another of the yellow racists that the PRC has fawned.

And he is living among the whitest of white men: The Brits. Reaping the benefits of their laws, culture, and education. He just does not know how 'white' he actually is.

 

[Abii]

you shouldn't blame USA, if anyone is to be blamed it's the Cubans in exile in Florida!

they're the one who keep a pressure on the government to not trade with Cuba.

that's an idiotic response. There are always traitors in every country, even yours.

It's nobody's fault but the American's.

Belittling the sanction issue is very distasteful. I know b/c my country is going through it every day.

 

[anon45]

Cuban exiles are a bit like Vietnamese exiles. Totally willing to throw their motherland under the bus to please the white man.

Raphael, you know nothing. Most of America wouldn't give a fig to see the embargo gone, self included (cold war's over and all that). Of course this cuts both ways, most of America doesn't give a fig that it is in place, or to be more accurate, the issue wouldn't be of significance when it comes to elections. (the war and the economy tend(ed) to crowd out the issue). The same cannot be said of the Cuban exiles, who are organized and politically active.

It is a make and break issue for them, so of course when it comes to politicians who want to get elected in Florida, why would they alienate this group when it would win them very few votes? Better to tow the line. It isn't much on the radar for other politicans

- make and break issue for some
-issue of little electoral consequence for others
= status quo

That is not to say the exiles and those descended are bad people, they believe in the issue and have suffered at the hands of Castro's revolution having businesses and assets they built with their blood and sweat seized and friends and family marched off and killed.

The trend currently is that this group is beginning to soften its view, some are even beginning to support normalizing relations as Castro fades into the background. Change is slow and deliberate though, as it has always been when it doesn't involve large crowds in protest.

 

[Raphael]

Mr. Raphael, I see that you are another of the yellow racists that the PRC has spawned.

I'm just telling it like it is. What term should I use instead to refer to the race of people that Vietnamese and Cuban exiles have thrown their allegiance to, in blatant betrayal of their motherland?

 

[anon45]

I'm just telling it like it is. What term should I use instead to refer to the race of people that Vietnamese and Cuban exiles have thrown their allegiance to, in blatant betrayal of their motherland?

erm...well considering America is not consisting only of white skinned people, demographically or politically, your best bet would be to refer to nationality, which is American. The proper term for people leaving one country for another is immigrant. The act of moving is called immigration

Really you should know this...

 

[Raphael]

And he is living among the whitest of white men: The Brits. Reaping the benefits of their laws, culture, and education. He just does not know how 'white' he actually is.

Well, I'm gonna take this post as evidence that in some moments, you feel pangs of guilt for being a race traitor. Because otherwise, you wouldn't be projecting your own insecurities about betrayal onto me. The difference between you and me is that I'm a cosmopolitan person, I enjoy sojourning to different worlds, and I don't mind acculturating myself into different societies. However, I'm not a sellout - I'm tied by blood to Chinese soil and all the people who live on it. I took a blood test once which revealed that I belong to haplogroup O3, a quintessentially Chinese y-chromosome haplogroup. I have framed the result and look at it often, and I know it gives me authorization to stray as far as I want from Chinese culture and not be a Hanjian.

 

[Raphael]

@anon45

I don't think you refuted what I said. Yes, the rest of America is apathetic to the embargo, and that's disappointing given the civic virtue necessary for a democracy to operate. I'm not interested in that though - I'm only disturbed by the treachery of Cuban exiles who spite their compatriots back home because of some confiscated property. It's petty and sick. If the trend you suggest is true (that they're more interested in reconciliation), then that's a welcome development, but it's kinda too little too late. The sanctions ruined Cuba, and the exiled have blood on their hands.

Also, it's easy to frame it as an issue of nationality, but the reality is that it's race. Race is paramount. The exiled conceive of the USA as a white nation, and that in betraying their motherland, they're doing the noble bidding of the white man. Race-relations between Cubans/Vietnamese and Blacks/Hispanics are notoriously awful (yes, even between Cubans and other hispanics), and I doubt the exiled would be so willing to throw their motherland under the bus if the USA ever became majority Black/hispanic.

 

[fallstuff]

Cuban exiles are a bit like Vietnamese exiles. Totally willing to throw their motherland under the bus to please the white man.

I am not sure if that is true or not.

What I do know is a big chunk of these politically active exiles were landowners and rich in Cuba. Some of the laws they advocated and helped pass are specifically targeted at properties and businesses they used to own.