The University of West Indies held forum entitled “The U.S. Trade, Financial and Information Embargo on Cuba: Caribbean perspectives” TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, September 25, 2010.- Just a few days from the voting, in the General Assembly of the United Nation, of the Cuba resolution demanding the lifting of the ¨embargo¨ imposed by the Government of United States, the Institute of International Relations of the University of the West Indies (UWI), San Augustine Campus, held a forum titled: "The Economic, Commercial and Financial embargo of United States against Cuba: Caribbean perspective". The event, in which participated professors, students, members of the diplomatic corps, officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industries and members of the Solidarity Movement with Cuba, began with the speech delivered by the Ambassador of Cuba to this Caribbean island, Humberto Rivero Rosario, who made a brief presentation of Cuba's Report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to resolution 64/6. In his speech the Cuban diplomat also denounced the lack of political will of President Obama to modify this genocide policy and reiterated that this unilateral act of aggression towards Cuba should be eliminated without any conditions. After the intervention of the Cuban Ambassador made presentations Dr. Indira RAMPERSAD, Lecturer of the Department of Behavioral Science, Professor Norman Girvan, Professorial Research Fellow, Institute of International Relations, and Dr. Mark Kirton, Senior Lecturer, Institute of International Relations. Dr. Rampersad based her speech on the connection between the Presidential and Congressional elections and the position assumed by the Candidates in relation to Cuba. Further noted that while there have been some minimum elements of change, which has dominated in the Obama´s Administration is continuity of the embargo policy towards Cuba. Professor Norman Girvan gave a brief recount of the struggles of the Cuban people for their real independence, highlighted the negative impact of the US embargo on Cuba's trade with CARICOM countries, recognized the Cuban cooperation in the areas of health and education with many developing countries, in spite of the blockade and stressed the contribution of Cuba in the fight against the apartheid regime. The solidarity CARICOM countries with Cuba and their firm position against the American blockade were highlighted by Dr. Kirton, who acknowledged also the important role plays by the Greater Antilles in Caribbean family. In his speech Professor Kirton referred also to acts of terrorism against Cuba, emphasizing the bombing of Cubana de Aviación Airline where the 73 passengers on board were killed among them 11 Guyanese compatriots. After the speeches the students had the opportunity to exchange with the panelists. Copies of the report submitted by Cuba were made available to attendees at the event. The event was covered by channels 9 and 13 of Trinitarian television and radio stations 100.1FM, 99.1FM and 91.1FM (Cubaminrex-Embacuba Trinidad and Tobago)
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