Mr. President,
I take this opportunity to explain Grenada’s position on the resolution entitled Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, which had been tabled as document A/75/L.97 and was just adopted by the General Assembly .
Grenada aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Group of 77 & China, the Non-Aligned Movement.
Mr. President,
At the outset, let me state categorically that Grenada believes that at all times, the United Nations must do the right thing according to the letter and spirit of the Charter. And today, voting for Resolution A/75/L.97, Grenada further believes that that same sentiment is no difference and must prevail.
Let us be clear, Grenada voted with the overwhelming majority of the General Assembly in support of the resolution, calling for the removal of the Embargo against the Government and people of Cuba, as we strongly view it as counterproductive in its application and in contravention of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of States.
The unfettered adverse effects of this embargo are a consistent impediment to the goal of human development as it undermines the fundamental principles of humanity.
Mr. President,
In every corner of our region, States have joined the clarion call and demand for an end to this economic, commercial, and financial blockade. We can no longer remain deaf to these thunderous calls.
The significance of the Embargo on the Cuban economy continues to be of great concern to Grenada. The inability of Cuba to acquire necessary medical supplies, the production of the latest medicines towards the fight of COVID-19 —because of the Embargo — and the humanitarian impact on the people of Cuba, especially in the areas of socioeconomic, health care and finance, is saddening. The negative effects on the Cuban economy and its growth are obvious and tangible.
It is remarkable that, even as we are meeting at a time when the world is faced with an unprecedented crisis, Cuba has reminded us of the critical importance of being the genuine vanguard of the people, building and maintaining close links through humanitarianism.
The notable humanitarianism that Cuba displayed to the world during the onslaught of COVID-19, gave hope and provided much needed life-saving medical support to many. And in the midst of serious economic and social challenges, Cuba has always been willing to extend a hand of friendship and solidarity to developing – and even developed – countries around the world. Though limited in its possibilities, the Herculean spirit of cooperation and camaraderie demonstrated by Cuba is essential to genuine peace and stability we all so desire. We profoundly once again thank our sister island nation of Cuba for the solid stand that they have taken in this regard.
This solidarity also demonstrates, on one hand, the truly international character of the indomitable Cuban spirit and, on the other hand, the need more than ever for Cuba to be recognised for the potential and selfless, invaluable contributions of its people and readmitted unhindered to the economic, commercial, and financial community of nations.
Mr. President,
Cuba has been a beacon for us in Grenada. In April 2021, Grenada and Cuba celebrated 42 years of friendship. History records that there is an unbreakable link between Cuba and Grenada. History records that the peoples of Grenada have benefitted tremendously over the years and continues to benefit from a myriad of programs in the areas of, inter alia, health, and education. The Maurice Bishop International Airport and the General Hospital stand as symbols of Cuba’s contribution to Grenada’s socio-economic development.
At this juncture, Grenada reiterates the position of the Caribbean Community most recently reaffirmed in the Declaration of the Seventh Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of CARICOM and Cuba in December 2020, during which our Ministers rejected the imposition of unilateral coercive measures and calls for an immediate and unconditional end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, and the termination of the increased US persecution of Cuban financial transactions.
The Ministers further reiterated CARICOM’s firm rejection of the Helms-Burton Act, “which grossly violate International Law and undermine [s] the sovereignty and interests of third parties”.
Finally, Mr. President,
We can no longer sit on our hands. Grenada believes that the time has now come when we must move to elevate solutions that would create peacefulcoexistence; one people and one world. The time has now come, in our view, for continued mobilisation and demand for international support and solidarity.
We remain hopeful that the adage nothing is set in stone runs true to form. Grenada continues to believe that there is still hope—with the support of multilateralism in this community of nations—to return to good-faith dialogue and full normalization of relations between the two governments in the spirit of true and sincere reconciliation, and that this unilateral imposition would be a vestige of the past.
Resolution of this entrenched dispute will generate the momentum needed for resolving similar conflicts in other regions. Above all when the rubber meets the road, only in unity can we earnestly fight to overcome the seemingly monumental difficulties of the world.
I thank you.
