STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATION OF THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO,ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA,ON AGENDA ITEM 29 ENTITLED “NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA”, AT THE PLENARY OF THE 58TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (NEW YORK, 4 NOVEMBER 2003)

Mr. President,

The Group of 77, at their first Summit in Havana in 2000, called for the end of the economic embargo on Cuba. In this context, I would like, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, to reiterate the G-77 position on agenda item 29 entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.

We have read the report of the Secretary-General A/57/287 on this item. As it was stated during last sessions of the General Assembly by the Chairman of the G-77, it is instructive to conclude that the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba is a unilateral action, whose extraterritorial effects have no validity in public international law. It is highly necessary that the embargo be lifted immediately to allow a free flow of international trade.

The South Summit in 2000 was aware that national laws lack extraterritorial applicability. While underlying the importance of North-South relations, the G-77 would like to reiterate that the South-Summit has underscored:

• the necessity for developed countries to eliminate laws and regulations with adverse extraterritorial effects and other forms of unilateral economic coercive measures, inconsistent with the principles of international law, United Nations Charter and the principles of the multilateral trading system;
• its concern over the impact of economic sanctions on the civilian population and development capacity in targeted countries and therefore urge the international community to exhaust all peaceful methods before resorting to sanctions, which should only be considered as a last resort. If necessary these sanctions must be established only in strict conformity with the Charter of the United Nations with clear objectives, clear time frame, provision for regular review, precise conditions for their lifting and never be used as a form of punishment or otherwise exact retribution;
• the G-77 would like to recall the Summit’s sincere appeal to the Government of the United States of America to immediately lift the economic embargo imposed on the Republic of Cuba since 1960;
• that the economic embargo, which has lasted too long, serves no other purpose than to preserve tension between two neighbouring countries and impose untold hardship and suffering on the people of Cuba, especially women and children; and
• its conviction that the replacement of the embargo with greater dialogue and co-operation will contribute greatly not only towards the removal of tension between them but also promote meaningful exchange and partnership between two countries whose destinies are linked by history and geography.

Thank you, Mr. President.