SA repeats call for US to lift trade blockade against Cuba
by Staff Writer,
2015-07-04 14:55:49.0
SOUTH Africa has repeated its call for an immediate lifting of the US trade blockade against Cuba.
Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Friday that the SA government welcomed the exchange of diplomatic notes on July 1 between President Raul Castro of Cuba and US President Barack Obama on the immediate re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries after a gap of more than five decades.
The two presidents committed to 20 July 2015 as the date for the re-opening of embassies in their respective capitals.
But Ms Nkoana-Mashabane said: "Whilst we welcome the announcement‚ we join all progressive and freedom seeking nations in calling for the full and immediate lifting of the unilaterally imposed blockade against Cuba. Only once the blockade is lifted will relations between these two neighbouring states achieve its desired objectives.
"South Africa unequivocally supports the call by President Obama to the United States Congress to ‘work towards the immediate lifting of the Trade Embargo (blockade)’.
"This historic occasion presents an opportunity to reset relations between the two countries. Outstanding issues still to be resolved should not dissuade both sides to find a comprehensive negotiated solution that respects the inalienable sovereignty of both states", she said.
RDM News Wire
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. Picture: TREVOR SAMSON
SOUTH Africa has repeated its call for an immediate lifting of the US trade blockade against Cuba.
Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Friday that the SA government welcomed the exchange of diplomatic notes on July 1 between President Raul Castro of Cuba and US President Barack Obama on the immediate re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries after a gap of more than five decades.
The two presidents committed to 20 July 2015 as the date for the re-opening of embassies in their respective capitals.
But Ms Nkoana-Mashabane said: "Whilst we welcome the announcement‚ we join all progressive and freedom seeking nations in calling for the full and immediate lifting of the unilaterally imposed blockade against Cuba. Only once the blockade is lifted will relations between these two neighbouring states achieve its desired objectives.
"South Africa unequivocally supports the call by President Obama to the United States Congress to ‘work towards the immediate lifting of the Trade Embargo (blockade)’.
"This historic occasion presents an opportunity to reset relations between the two countries. Outstanding issues still to be resolved should not dissuade both sides to find a comprehensive negotiated solution that respects the inalienable sovereignty of both states", she said.
RDM News Wire
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