Cuba hails UN resolution on ending U.S. blockade

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque welcomed Tuesday the UN resolution demanding an end to the U.S. economic and commercial embargo against his country. It is a “great victory” for Cuba to receive world support at the UN, which demanded an unconditional lifting of the U.S. economic, trade and financial blockade against Cuba, he said.

Cuban Television and National Radio Network broadcast a speech by Perez Roque and the voting details in favor of Cuba at the UN headquarters in New York. The Cuban delegation has received a lot of supports at the UN General Assembly, Perez Roque said in a telephone interview.

He also condemned the U.S. delegates for pressing other countries to vote against the resolution. UN General Assembly on Tuesday backed, for the 16th consecutive time, the elimination of the U.S. punitive measure against Cuba by a vote of 184 in favor, four against and one abstention.

The current resolution is much more significant as U.S. President George W. Bush had demanded a world embargo against Cuba a few days ago, Perez Roque said. The U.S. was only joined by by Israel, Marshall Islands and Palau in its opposition to the UN resolution, he said. Micronesia abstained in the voting.

Havana, Wednesday, Xinhua