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Cuba Exposes US Blockade
Tightening
Cuba"s Mission to the UN
denounced the intensification of
the US blockade against the
Island through a second version
of an annexation plan.
President George W. Bush
approved the Commission of
Assistance to a Free Cuba, in
the summer of 2004, to destroy
the Island"s political, economic
and social system.
The second version lists key
anti-Cuba actions from June 2,
2005 through October 10, 2006.
In June 2005, Kevin Whitaker,
head of the State Department s
Cuban Affairs, spoke of some
progress.
He mentioned slashing numbers of
trips to Cuba, reducing money
sent by families by nearly 60
percent, and weekly flights for
TV broadcasts to foment internal
subversion.
The Bush administration
allocated 8.9 million dollars
for 2005 and 15 million for 2006
to the commission.
The Justice Department created a
second program on Cuba for US
companies and citizens, citing
anti-Cuba demands on property
confiscated after May 1967.
OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets
Control) from the Treasury
Department audited travel
agencies that had Cuba as a
destination and 16 lost their
licenses. The list this year
grew to 26.
In February, OFAC implemented
new regulations, punishing banks
that violate US legislation on
sanctions against different
countries, including Cuba.
Cuban Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
submitted a bill to ban entrance
to US territory to any one
investing in Cuba"s oil sector.
A week later, Sen. Mel Martinez
promoted the bill in the Senate.
On October 10, South Florida"s
Federal Attorney Alexander
Acosta announced the setup of a
work group to reinforce
anti-Cuba sanctions.
The chapter mentions
persecution, threats and
sanctions against US citizens,
institutions, companies, as well
as religious, academic and non
governmental organizations.
In 2005 OFAC fined eight US
companies and banks for 44.2
billion dollars, and fined 487
citizens who violated the
blockade by traveling to Cuba
529,743 dollars.
Cuba"s press release circulates
before the UN General Assembly
debate on the US anti-Cuba
blockade on November 8. This is
the 15th consecutive year
Resolution: Need to end the US
economic, commercial and
financial blockade against Cuba
has been presented.
The condemnation resolution was
approved in 2005 by a record
182-4 vote.
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