Letter: US should lift Cuba embargo

Sir: Both the United Nations and the European Community have brought to Washington's attention the fact that the US trade embargo against the state of Cuba is in total disregard of international law. Indeed, Thomas Richardson, the British Ambassador, recently told the UN on behalf of all EC members that 'they consider this (the new US embargo law) to be a violation of a general principle of international law and the sovereignty of independent nations'.

Although not perfect, the Cuban government is a more caring one than that of the many undemocratic regimes throughout the world with which the US and British governments maintain normal diplomatic and trade relations. Cuba has developed impressive education, social welfare and health care services that compare favourably with those in the most highly developed Western countries. Attacking these directly by restricting the export of medical and related supplies and equipment - as the US embargo does - is bound to have the greatest impact on young children, elderly people and those with disabilities.

We call for the British government to make more vocal its opposition to US policy on this matter. We also feel that it is the duty of our government (and the EC) to go further and to urge the US President to modify his country's unfair policy towards Cuba.

Yours sincerely,

DAVID BLUNKETT, MP; MICHAEL MEACHER, MP; RON DAVIES, MP; ALEX SALMOND, MP; CYNOG DAFIS, MP; ELFYN LLWYD, MP; BRYAN GOULD, MP; NIGEL JONES, MP; DIANE ABBOT, MP; and 72 other MPs

House of Commons

London, SW1