Vol. 418 No. 5
92 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the resolution passed by the recent 13th regular General Assembly of the Latin-American Parliament requesting that the economic and commercial blockade imposed on Cuba for the past 30 years be lifted; if the Government will support this call; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the resolution recently adopted by the Latin American Parliament which calls for an end to the economic and trade embargo of Cuba by the United States.
The embargo on all political, economic and commercial relations which the United States instituted against Cuba has been in operation since 1962. The embargo applies solely to the United States' relations with Cuba and is not in any way binding on other States or international organisations. The question of lifting the embargo is a bilateral matter for the two Governments concerned.
The operation of the embargo over the past 30 years has not in any way impeded other countries from developing trade and commercial links with Cuba. Nor has it prevented the provision of humanitarian aid to Cuba. The European Community provide food aid to Cuba via the World Food Programme. In 1991 food aid provided by the Community to Cuba was valued at 1.6 million ECU.
