STATEMENT

BY H.E MR. PHAM VINH QUANG

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF VIET NAM

AT THE 67^TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

AGENDA ITEM 41:

“NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA”

(New York, 13 November 2012)

 

Mr. President,

As it is my first address to this 67th Session, I would like to congratulate you on your election as the President of the General Assembly. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement as well as the statement made by Algeria on behalf of the Group of  77 and China.

Mr. President,

My delegation once again welcomes the theme of the 67^th Session, - that is, “to bring about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means”, as well as your other high priorities in rule of law and advancing the revitalization of the General Assembly aiming at enhancing the role, authority, effectiveness and efficiency of this body with particular focus on implementing the resolutions adopted by this Assembly. In the past 20 consecutive years, the General Assembly has adopted almost unanimously 20 resolutions calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.  Yet, the blockade and the sanctions  remain and continue to impose severe economic and financial restrictions on Cuba. This issue, therefore, merits additional attention under the theme of this Session of the General Assembly.

Mr. President,

The blockade has caused tremendous impacts on life of and development for the Cuban people. According to the report submitted by Cuba to the Secretary General of the UN as requested under UNGA Ressolution 66/6, the loss and damages caused by the embargo to the Cuban economy exceed one trillion US dollars.  Cuba has made significant progress in development. We admire the resilience of the Cuban people. But the embargo and the deepening impact of the global economic and financial crisis continue to impede socio-economic advances and efforts of Cuba towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The majority of the international community, including the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China on many occasions clearly state that the embargo contravenes the fundamental norms of international law, international humanitarian law, fundamental principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, especially the principles of the sovereign equality, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and self-determination of States. Viet Nam shares the views expressed by the international community in its continued opposition to the embargo.

In this context, Viet Nam goes along with the call contained in the Outcome Document of the 16^th Summit of the NAM in which the Heads of State or Government of the NAM reiterate their call to the Government of the United States to put an end to the embargo due to its unilateralism and because the embargo is contrary to the UN Charter and international law as well as the principle of good neighbourliness.  They also  urge the strict compliance with relevant resolutions adopted by the UNGA and express their concern over the widening of the extra-territorial nature of the embargo.

In the same vein, Viet Nam supports the statement by the G77 Ministers of Foreign Affairs at their 36^th Annual Meeting on 28 September 2012 in New York that firmly rejects the imposition of laws and regulations with extra-territorial impact and all other forms of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions against developing countries, reiterates the urgent need to eliminate them immediately and emphasizes that such actions not only undermine the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law but also severely threaten the freedom of trade and investment.  The Statement  calls on the international community neither to recognize these measures nor apply them.

Mr. President,

Viet Nam, for the forgoing, will join the large majority of Member States to vote in favor of the draft resolution (A/67/L.2) presented by Cuban Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.  On this occasion, Viet Nam wishes to reiterate its support for and solidarity with Cuba. Viet Nam once again urges the United States, in conformity with its obligations under the United Nations Charter and international law, to fully comply with relevant General Assembly resolutions calling for an immediate end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. 

I thank you for your kind attention.