Suriname supports ending the trade blockade against Cuba in UN SURINAME, October 26, 2010.-In the coming ordinary period of session of the UN General Assembly, Suriname will support a resolution to end the almost 50 years old American trade blockade against Cuba. “We will reaffirm the point of view of president Bouterse expressed in the recent General Assembly in New York “, says Minister Winston Lackin of Foreign Affairs to Starnieuws. It will be the 19th consecutive year the General Assembly of the UN will vote on the blockade. The text of the resolution reaffirms the principles of equal sovereignty among States, non-interference in domestic affairs and freedom of trade and international navigation. The resolution also rejects the approval and implementation of such as the Helms-Burton Act, whose extraterritorial effects damage the sovereignty of other states and the legitimate interests of entities or individuals. The document mentions that a similar resolution has been approved by the UN General Assembly on 18 previous occasions. It also refers to other declarations and accords adopted by several intergovernmental forums, international organizations and governments rejecting the implementation of this kind of unilateral measures. The text urges all UN states to abstain from passing and implementing similar regulations and to comply with the principles included in the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Finally, it asks the UN General-Secretary to prepare a report on the compliance with the resolution to present it during the 66th ordinary period of sessions of the UN General Assembly. Last year, 187 countries voted to lift the US blockade against Cuba while only three voted against (United States, Israel and Palau) and two abstained (Marshall Islands and Micronesia). According to conservative estimates, the blockade has cost the island more than 751 billion dollars. (Cubaminrex-Embacuba Suriname) |