Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Embargo Against Cuba.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

50 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when diplomatic relations will be established with Cuba; and the progress, if any, made with regard to the Government's stated objective of seeking an end to the US economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba having particular regard to the impact of the embargo on the health of the Cuban people [20866/99]

Enda Kenny

Question:

63 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's attitude towards the continuing blockade of Cuba; if Ireland's position has been clearly outlined at European level; the discussions, if any, he has had with US authorities regarding the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 63 together.

The Government, by decision of 28 September 1999, approved the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba. It is the intention that the ambassador to Mexico will also be accredited to Cuba; the Cuban Ambassador to London will be accredited to Dublin. The Cuban Foreign Minister, Felipe Perez Roque, was in Dublin on Wednesday, 27 October to mark the establishment of relations between our two countries. These formal ties will enable us to deepen the friendly relations which already exist between us. It will also provide an important impetus for the further development of economic, social and cultural links.

While here, Minister Perez Roque met the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee for an exchange of views. He also met the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Deputy McDaid. He also discussed economic questions in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The position of the Government on the US embargo against Cuba remains that set out in my reply of 29 September to Question No. 118 – we 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, all of whom share the same position, and we have consistently supported resolutions in the UN General Assembly calling for an end to the embargo, most recently at the General Assembly last year.

The US Administration and its diplomatic representatives have been made fully aware of our position.

There has been some progress. On 4 August the US Senate – partly prompted by pressure from agribusiness interests – voted by 70 to 28 in favour of exempting food and medicine from the embargo, but the proposal did not prosper in the House of Representatives. Earlier this year restrictions were eased on the delivery of food and medicine to non-governmental organisations, though this was not welcomed by the Cuban authorities as it was seen as circumventing state control.

In accordance with the EU Common Position on Cuba, adopted in December 1996, our aim is to encourage a process of change, not to precipitate a collapse of authority which could bring about conflict in Cuba or mass emigration from there. But the Common Position also makes clear that wholehearted co-operation with Cuba is unavoidably inhibited by the persistent absence of fundamental human and political rights in that country.

After the Pope's visit to Cuba in January 1998 there had been a certain easing of repressive measures against political dissidents and a reduction in the number of political prisoners. However, subsequently the situation deteriorated again. In January 1999 the criminal law was amended to introduce new and even harsher legislation aimed at curbing dissidence.

In March 1999, four members of the Internal Dissidence Group were sentenced to terms of imprisonment. In a statement issued on 17 March, the EU expressed its deep regret at the sentences passed. It pointed out that the people convicted had exercised a freedom of expression which is recognised universally as a human right and that the EU could not accept that citizens exercising such a right should be criminalised by State authorities. The EU also rejected judicial proceedings of a political nature and expressed deep concern about the amendments to the criminal law further curtailing the exercise of the rights of citizens.

At the same time, the EU reiterated its continuing objective of encouraging a peaceful transition to pluralist democracy, with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as set out in the Common Position.

Ireland has supported a number of resolutions on human rights in Cuba at the UN Commission on Human Rights, including at this year's session. With all of our EU partners, we once again called on Cuba to co-operate with all human rights mechanisms of the UN.