Caribbean Official Condemns Blockade against Cuba. CUBA, 08 July 2011.- Dexter E. M. Rose, Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, denounced the extra-territorial policy of the US blockade against Cuba and said it is also against geographically close countries. Rose told Prensa Latina that trade is limited because of the maritime restrictions, and remembered that because of the Helms Burton Act, the arrival of ships with merchandise to Cuba gets extremely delayed. Taking into account the power of the US economy, the effects on commercial exchange with Cuba are very noticeable, he pointed out. "We are hopeful, because to counter this measure, we have to work together, and now there is growing awareness that this can be done. There is support from Caribbean businessmen and embassies. It's all a matter of time", said Rose. He considered Cuba as the "big sister" of the Caribbean, and said that Cuba is a paradigm of real independence in the Caribbean, a zone of the world where many countries have attained only a limited independence, and are still dependant on the old metropolises. An example of the marked interest of Caribbean governments in relations with Cuba is that many Caribbean countries have established their embassies here, he stated. Rose, current leader of the GRULAC Group -gathering the Latin American and Caribbean representatives- and dean of the ambassadors of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) here, said the links with Cuba are not for discussion. This is a principles position of the Caribbean governments and the proofs of this are many and quite old, from when the US government tried to isolate the Cuban Revolution since the early years, he said. Rose referred to the bilateral commercial agreements and the cooperation in public health, science, sports and other fields. Rose is taking part in the 31st International Caribbean Festival until July 9, together with almost all the rest of the Caribbean ambassadors in Cuba. (Cubaminrex-PL)
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