UN General Assembly calls for lifting US embargo on Cuba

[News_Editor]

UN General Assembly calls for lifting US embargo on Cuba

2010-10-27 08:16:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) – The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday called for lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba which was imposed in the aftermath of the Cold War.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution for the removal of the decades-old economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on the Caribbean island nation.

The 192 members of the Assembly voted, for the 19th straight year, on ending the embargo and expressed their concern about the adverse effects of the measures on the Cuban population as well as on Cuban people living abroad.

The resolution received 187 votes in favor to 2 against from the United States and Israel. Three members, Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau, did not vote.

The text urged to refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures that do not conform to their obligations to reaffirm freedom of trade and navigation.

Other countries have also expressed their concern to the embargo. Last Friday, Russia urged the United States to end the embargo on Cuba and called for the United Nations to support the pledge. The Russian Parliament remarked that the U.S. continues to break norms and principles of relations among sovereign states.

The United States imposed a commercial, economic, and financial embargo on Cuba in October 1960. It was made into law in 1992 in order to maintain sanctions until the Cuban government accepts to move toward democratization and greater respect for human rights.

The embargo prohibits American entrepreneurs and companies from engaging in business with Cuban interests. It is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history. President Obama renewed the embargo last September 2, without further explanation or motives.

The new extension will expire on September 14, 2011. Obama said that the renewal was made as it was the best for the U.S. As of December 2008, Cuba indicated that the damage inflicted by the embargo exceeded $96 billion or $236 billion at the current exchange rate.

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