June 03, 2009

Barbara Lee Applauds Decision to Readmit Cuba to OAS

 

For Immediate Release
June 3, 2009
 
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661

Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) applauded the Organization of American States (OAS) on their decision to revoke a 1962 measure suspending Cuba, reversing a landmark of the Cold War in the hemisphere. While the action was taken without conditions, the agreement requires Cuba to comply with OAS conventions on human rights and other issues.

"I am very pleased to see that the Organization of American States has taken another positive step toward bringing the Cold War to a final end in the Americas," said Congresswoman Lee.

"I applaud this vote by the OAS to rescind the wrongheaded 1962 decision to shut out Cuba and I hope that this reversal is an important step towards the United State soon lifting the travel ban for all Americans, establishing normal diplomatic relations with our nearest Caribbean neighbor and in the end lifting the unilateral trade embargo on Cuba.

"Having Cuba as a member of the OAS is another step toward addressing the full range of issues remaining between the US and Cuba."

 Congresswoman Barbara Lee has long supported an end to the travel ban and has introduced legislation (H.R. 332) that would remove travel restrictions for students traveling to Cuba.

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