----- Original Message ----- From: John Clancy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2000 5:16 PM Subject: [Cuba SI] Cuba: Felipe P.Roque-EU Lacks. Ocean Press. Canada -------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~> Get LOW Rates. Click here for details. http://click.egroups.com/1/6866/0/_/30563/_/967933068/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Cuba: Felipe Perez Roque -EU lacks. Ocean Press. Canada Granma International ... May 3, 2000 LETTER FROM MINISTER OF FOREIGN RELATIONS TO THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE GROUP OF 71 COUNTRIES OF AFRICA, THE CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC (ACP) "European Union lacks political independence with regard to Cuba" The island withdraws its application for entrance into the new treaty of association between Europe and the ACP countries Havana, April 26, 2000 Your Excellency: I am writing to tell you that Cuba has decided to withdraw its request for entry into the new treaty of association between the countries of the ACP and the EU. As you know, Cuba has been participating in the negotiations for this new accord in the capacity of observer for almost two years. From the outset, we saw the potential entrance of Cuba into the Lom� Convention as a route to strengthening our relations and integration with the 71 member countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group and we have always clearly stated that our entry into the new convention would not affect, even minimally, the preferences and interests of the ACP countries. >From the beginning, the group of ACP countries has firmly and enthusiastically supported Cuba's application. During that time we have received the solidarity and support of our sister countries in the Third World, demonstrating their wish that Cuba become a new member of the ACP family. Irrefutable proof of this was the unanimous support for our position as observer, the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government of the ACP countries in Santo Domingo and the Resolution of the Council of Ministers which took place in Brussels last February 1st. Cuba and the ACP countries worked together actively with a view to the completing a text that takes into account the interests and claims of our countries and finally, on March 10, we confirmed our interest in subscribing to the new convention together with the other 71 ACP countries. Since that time, we have seen arrogance, smugness and the tendency on the part of various European countries to impose conditions on Cuba. Such spirits are evident in the unanimous way in which the European Union countries supported the United States' conspiracy against Cuba at the Human Rights Commission in Geneva. The United States once again used the puppet government of the Czech Republic, seconded by the governments, no less puppets themselves, of Poland, Romania and Latvia. These countries were formerly part of the socialist bloc, but today are either members or aspirants to membership in NATO, an aggressive and interventionist bloc that, with its "new strategic concept," threatens the sovereignty of all Third World countries. According to the rules of the European Union, any one of the 15 member countries can veto Cuba's application. Some have already shown themselves to be particularly hostile to our country joining the new ACP-EU Convention, due to their growing dislike of Cuba for its vital struggle in defense of Third World people's interests. To persist with the request for entry would only serve to allow ourselves to become victims of the unacceptable demands of the European Union. The European Union recently asked its triumvirate to visit Cuba, in order to restart the dialogue that has been halted in 1996 due to a unilateral decision on their part. During the preparations for this visit, we were able to verify that the European Union would effectively try to attach conditions on the incorporation of Cuba within the convention of association between the ACP and the EU. These conditions concerned the implementation of political, economic and social changes within Cuba, which our country rejects in a sovereign manner, since they constitute outright meddling in our internal affairs and an unacceptable attempt to pressure Cuba, something it has resisted for more than 40 years as a result of the ferocious blockade imposed by the most powerful nation in history. >From the outset, Cuba has expressed in a plain and transparent manner that it would not accept selective and discriminatory conditions imposed by any nation of the European Union as a requirement for our entry into the new convention. We have always explained that our position is exclusively limited to the duties and rights that are established by the new text created by all of the future signatories. Consequently, the European position remains unacceptable to Cuba because of its interventionist and discriminatory nature. It is proof that the European Union is still unable to articulate an independent political policy towards Cuba, as a result of pressure exerted by the United States. An example of the double standard and weakness of European politics is the unprincipled and unethical "understanding" that has been reached with the United States over the extraterritorial nature of the Helms-Burton Act. Taking into account all of these elements and in view of our conviction that the visit of the EU triumvirate would be a pointless exercise, aimed only at giving them a pretext to brandish their reasons for their opposition to Cuba 's entry into the new ACP-EU Convention, we have decided to cancel this proposed visit to our country. It is for these reasons, Your Excellency, that we have decided to relinquish our application for incorporation within the new ACP-EU convention of association. We see ourselves as having been blocked in our desire to sign the accord as we wished, so that we could respond to your interests and solidarity. Despite our decision and on behalf of our government, I reiterate to you that the ACP countries will always have Cuba's firm support for the achievement of the objectives for which we have jointly striven so hard. The recently concluded South Summit demonstrates that this is possible. In the framework of the UN, the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and other forums, we will always raise our voice alongside our brothers and sisters of the Third World. I reiterate to you, dear colleague, our thanks for your brave stance and the solidarity that your country has shown in supporting Cuba's entry into the new convention. I assure you that we feel proud to have been able to participate with you in this process which has made our indestructible mutual friendship even stronger. I take this opportunity to reiterate to you my highest and most distinguished considerations. Felipe P�rez Roque - (Cuban Foreign Minister) ************
