Vol. 428 No. 1
41 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request the United States Government to lift its economic blockade against Cuba, which has now been in operation for more than 30 years, in view of the economic and social hardship created for the people of Cuba by the blockade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The US embargo on all political, economic and commercial relations with Cuba was instituted by the United States in 1962. It has not precluded other countries from developing trade and commercial links with Cuba, nor prevented the provision of humanitarian aid to Cuba. In 1991 the European Community provided food aid to Cuba via the World Food Programme to the value of 1.6 million ECU. In 1992 EC emergency aid was provided to Cuba in the form of medicines to the value of 250,000 ECU. Quantities of milk powder, cereals, butter and vegetable oils were also provided.
The normalisation of relations between the United States and Cuba is essentially a bilateral question for those two governments. However the recent changes which have occurred in the international political landscape hold out the hope that the conditions can be created for an end to Cold War animosities everywhere.
