KINGSTON, Jamaica – (JIS) Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding is again calling for the lifting of the United States-imposed economic embargo on Cuba, and is instead, urging that the countries undertake “constructive engagement,” aimed at resolving their differences.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on May 7, following his three-day official visit to Cuba, Mr. Golding said the embargo, which has been maintained by successive US Governments, has failed to achieve its intended purpose, emphasizing that it belonged in the past.
“Whatever may have inspired and motivated it (embargo) belongs to an era that is long past. We made it clear to President (Raul) Castro that in the same way that the cold war came to an end, more than two decades ago, we feel that this diplomatic war, this economic war against Cuba must also be brought to an end,” the Prime Minister said.
In proposing that the United States “pursue a path of constructive engagement” with Cuba, Mr. Golding pointed out that the US had adopted this approach towards other countries with which they held ideological differences.
“It is a path that they have adopted with Communist China, and we know the extent to which the US relations with China have improved and have been strengthened. It is a path that the US has adopted towards Vietnam, communist Vietnam, because Vietnam, China, North Korea and Cuba remain the only four countries in the world that are still officially proclaimed as communist countries; and the US was prepared to engage constructively with China (and) with Vietnam. We feel that the time has come for constructive engagement with Cuba,” the Prime Minister asserted.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (left), is greeted by Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin (right) and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Chief of Staff, Major General Stewart Saunders (2nd right), on his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Wednesday (May 7) from a three-day official visit to Cuba.
Mr. Golding said that during the three-day visit by the Jamaican delegation, which he led, the team saw “clear signs” of Cuba moving in a “path of reform.”
“Indeed, since President Raul Castro assumed the Presidency, some very significant initiatives have been taken, and we believe that this is something that ought to be encouraged. I believe that we should respect the right of the Cuban people to define the pace at which they will bring adjustments to the Cuban way of life and to the Cuban economic system; it is not something that must be imposed from outside. And so long as Cuba continues to move in a direction that we certainly welcome (that) we certainly endorse, we believe that they must be given every encouragement, not to be penalized any further,” the Prime Minister said.
To this end, Mr. Golding said that Cuba has been assured of Jamaica’s support and effort to try and “influence the thinking of the United States government towards a different approach to Cuba.”
The Prime Minister said that despite the challenges currently being experienced by the Cuban people, they remain committed to the growth and development of their country.
“I believe that all of us owe Cuba the respect (in that) they have traveled a long road.and, in a sense, they are arriving at the same destination that we have defined for ourselves – an improved quality of life for their people (and) a consolidation of their sovereignty and their independence. I believe that we must all do whatever is possible to make sure that Cuba can be integrated into the mainstream of the world community,” Mr. Golding argued.
