[GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party urges Obama to end the US blockade of Cuba following UN condemnation

[Green Party of California Updates]

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, October 29, 2009



Green Party urges President Obama to end the US blockade of Cuba following UN
condemnation

• Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy:
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php

• The Fall 2009 issue of Green Pages, the Green Party's national publication,
is now online: http://gp.org/greenpages-blog


WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States called upon President
Obama to end the economic blockade of Cuba, following a nearly unanimous vote
in the United Nations on October 28 condemning the decades-old US policy.

"If President Obama is willing to accept the Nobel Peace prize, he should show
the world that he is committed to peace.  The US continues to impose severe
economic hardship on the Cuban people primarily to attract a small percent of
the vote in the Florida Presidential election. It's time for President Obama
and Congress to acknowledge that the Cold War is long over and rejoin those
countries that promote peace and justice in the international community,” said
Steve Herrick co-chair of the Green Party's International Committee.

The Green Party's national platform supports an immediate end to US sanctions
against Cuba, calling the policy a violation of human rights and an obstacle
to the delivery of food and medicine to a sovereign nation that poses no
threat to the US.  See "Resolution Opposing US Intervention in Cuba," December
7, 2003 (http://www.gp.org/position/st_2003_12_07.shtml).

Greens noted that Cuba has the lowest infant mortality rate and the longest
life expectancy rate in Latin America . The World Health Organization calls
Cuba's free health care system "a model for the world."  Cuba also has the
highest literacy rate and highest average educational level in Latin America.
  Cubans are world leaders in sustainable development, including organic
agriculture and alternative energy.

”These positive changes since 1959 deserve the world's encouragement and
acknowledgment, not punishment.  The people of Cuba deserve to be free from
both the external threat of US attack and the internal threat of political
repression.  As Greens, we support all possibilities for greater democracy in
Cuba, and we urge that US hostilities towards Cuba cease," said Sanda
Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and a member of the
International Committee.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
• Green candidate database and campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
• Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections
• Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the
United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog


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