Cuba's Castro at UN calls for end to US embargo

Cuba's Castro at UN calls for end to US embargo

United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Cuban President Raul Castro on
Saturday took aim at the US embargo against his country, describing it
as the "main obstacle" to his country's economic development.

"Such a policy is rejected by 188 United Nations member-states that
demand its removal," Castro told a UN development summit, referring to a
UN resolution calling for the end of the decades-old embargo.

The UN General Assembly has voted each year since 1982 to approve a
resolution calling on the United States to lift the embargo against
Cuba, which has been in place since 1960.

Making his first visit to the UN, Castro hailed the re-establishment of
relations with Washington as a "major progress," but stressed that the
embargo was unfinished business.

"The economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba persists,
as it has been for half a century, bringing damages and hardships on the
Cuban people" said Castro, who succeeded his brother Fidel as president
in 2006.

Cuba estimates that more than $121 billion in damage has been inflicted
on its economy from the embargo, which was imposed in retaliation for
Cuba's nationalization of US properties on the island.

Since the rapprochement with Cuba, President Barack Obama's
administration has expressed support for lifting the embargo, but the
decision rests with Congress, where a Republican majority opposes the move.

Castro argued that the embargo affects other nations that face
punishment for investing in Cuba under US laws, and that it was "hurting
the interests of American citizens and companies."

The General Assembly is set to discuss a new draft resolution condemning
the embargo at a session next month.

This year, however, Cuba will introduce a resolution that "welcomes" the
reestablishment of relations and acknowledges Obama's determination to
work with the US Congress to lift the embargo, Cuban Foreign Minister
Bruno Rodriguez has said.

More than 160 world leaders are arriving in New York for the UN
development summit, followed by the UN General Assembly debate opening
Monday.

Castro is due to speak again on Monday, a few hours after Obama takes
the podium.

Source: Cuba's Castro at UN calls for end to US embargo - Yahoo News -
http://news.yahoo.com/cubas-castro-un-calls-lifting-us-embargo-151308146.html