Written Answers. - Embargo Against Cuba.
Liz McManus
Question:
35
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the progress, if any, made with regard to the Government's stated objective of seeking an end to the United States of America economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba; if Ireland will consider, even on a non-residential basis, the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba in view of the generally improving relations between Cuba and many other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27550/98]
Trevor Sargent
Question:
114
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will report on the Irish contribution to the European Commission initiative in objecting to the extra territorial measures contained in the United States Helms-Burton Act, 1996.
[25430/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 114 together.
As I stated in my reply of 2 July last, the Government wish to see an end to the US embargo imposed against Cuba. We are working to that end in concert with our European Union partners. In the UN General Assembly on 13 October, Ireland voted with our EU partners in favour of Resolution 53/4 which called for an end to the embargo. The resolution was adopted with a significantly increased majority over its predecessor last year — 153 votes in favour, two against, with 12 abstentions.
The Helms-Burton Act allows the US to take extraterritorial measures against companies or individuals trafficking in expropriated property from Cuba. Although the Act has little effect on Irish economic interests, we have shared partners' objections to it from the beginning and have played our full role in formulating the EU response to this measure. We along with our EU partners have never accepted the US claim that the measure is justified by national security concerns and the US Administration has throughout the discussions, been made fully aware of this.
Some progress has been made towards reviewing the US embargo. I have already welcomed President Clinton's announcement on 20 March on the opening of a number of contacts with Cuba. Recently, a bipartisan group of US Senators wrote to the President to suggest the establishment of a national commission to undertake a comprehensive review of US policy towards Cuba. This proposal is under positive consideration by the Administration, according to remarks attributed to a State Department spokesman.
Deputies are aware that the EU has defined a common position on Cuba and that this was achieved under Ireland's EU Presidency in 1996. The common position defines the EU's objective in its relations with Cuba as the facilitation of "a peaceful transition to democracy and a sustainable recovery and improvement in the living standards of the Cuban people". The common position also makes clear that the EU's "aim is to encourage a process of change, not to precipitate a collapse of authority which could bring about conflict, bloodshed and mass emigration". However, the common position also makes clear that "wholehearted co-operation with Cuba is unavoidably inhibited by the persisent absence of fundamental human and political rights".
That, unfortunately, remains the case. On 7 December last, the General Affairs Council reiterated the provisions of the common position. Havana must also play its part if Cuba wishes its international relations to be more significantly improved.
For its part, the EU in line with its policy of encouragement rather than isolation, has acceded to Cuba's request for observer status, as of 30 September last, at the negotiations for a new Lomé Convention. Full membership of the convention, and other full co-operation, must depend on real, substantial progress in respecting human rights and democracy.
Meanwhile it is good to note that, as a result of the Pope's visit to the island, Cubans are to be permitted, for a second successive year, to celebrate Christmas.
As regards the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations with Cuba, because of the modest size of our diplomatic service we are not in a position to establish such relations at the present time, even on a non-resident basis. This does not prevent the maintenance of appropriate contacts between our two governments.
