Thursday, September 20, 2007

U.S. and Cuba trade war of words over embargo

U.S. and Cuban officials have increased the rhetoric on the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba in light of a U.N. General Assembly vote on the issue next month.

Cuban Foreign Minster Felipe Perez Roque claimed on Tuesday that the embargo has cost the island $89 billion since the blockade was instituted in 1962. In comments he made to the local media, Perez Roque added that in the past year alone Cuba spent an additional $3 billion in extra trade costs by dealing without the U.S.

On the other hand, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez praised the embargo and called it "an absolute and resounding" success. Gutierrez- who is a Cuban exile- used the Cuban Missile crisis as an example to justify the embargo:

“Think about in 1962 when they had nuclear weapons in Cuba, they wanted to keep that weapon. They wanted to use that weapon if necessary.

So think about what would have happened if that regime would have had more resources. History doesn't credit us for what doesn't happen. You never get credit for what you prevented.”

In the meantime, Democratic presidential hopeful and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd called for a complete end to the embargo. Dodd’s remarks go farther than those made by Barack Obama several weeks ago; the Illinois lawmaker advocated easing travel and trade restrictions to Cuba.

Sources- People’s Daily Online, Voice of America, Washington Times, Reuters, FOX News, The Latin Americanist

Image- USA TODAY



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Anonymous said...

There is a war of words, but there is also a war of legislation and action between the United States and Cuba. Washington tries to stop people from the United States visiting the island, and tries to punish companies all over the world who do business with Cuba.

Here's a simple account about what U.S. law does to foreign countries, third countries.

JUVENTUD REBELDE:

Dell Pressured to Apply Anti-Cuban American Laws in Brazil

The Brazilian subsidiary of Dell computers is be forced to apply the anti-Cuban Helms Burton Act in that South American country

By: Amaury E. del Valle

Email: informaticajr@jrebelde.cip.cu
2007-09-20 | 11:59:35 EST
Photo: Zoom
The American giant Dell computers —or more specifically its Brazilian subsidiary— is in a fix. It is running the risk of losing important clients, among them the Brazilian government itsel

The reason is not due to a flaw of its products, of proven quality, or for violating some legal regulation in the land of samba. Just the opposite. The corporate heavyweight is attempting to comply with the «law» – American law at least; and this has put it in an uncomfortable position.

In a yet another demonstration of the extraterritorial nature of the absurd American regulation that sustains the «embargo» against Cuba (effectively a blockade), a few days ago Dell tried to force to the Brazilian physicist Paulo Gomes, of Fluminense Federal University (UFF), to sign a document assuring that he would not provide that technology to Cuba.

The university professor had planned to buy to two computers for his laboratory from Dell-Brazil, but was required to first sign a contract committing to not use them «in the production of weapons of mass destruction» and not to give them to citizens of countries hostile to United States, a list headed by Cuba.

Conditional Physics

An enormous scandal, pitting even the Brazilian government against Dell, erupted after the disdainful performance of computer manufacturer in trying to apply the extraterritorial US Helms-Burton Act in the South American country.

The Sao Paulo newspaper Folha revealed that Dr. Paulo Gomes categorically refused to sign the contract, which was presented by Dell as «export compliance.»

The document’s fine print specified that the buyer, and therefore Fluminense Federal University (UFF), must commit to the clause in the contract that states, «We shall not transfer, export or re-export —direct or indirectly— any acquired Dell product to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria, or to any foreigner with dual nationality or to any other country subject to restrictions.»

The reprehensible demand, affirmed the Brazilian physicist to the press, is completely unacceptable, he assured, adding, «I don’t have to justified myself to anyone, nor am I obliged to follow the American policies. I am a buyer; I’m not receiving a donation. Also, I have working relations with Cuban physicists, which I won’t give up.»

Gomes stated to Folha that he is prepared to return both computers, provided Dell returns him all the money that paid for the products and send a letter to the UFF Institute of Physics justifying the restriction.

As for Dell-Brazil, faced with the US law, it has no recourse other than claim that its hands are tied by American laws and regulations covering exports. “If we cease complying with the demands of American legislation, our mother company abroad will be able to be harshly punished by the US authorities,» affirmed a company representative in a letter to the newspaper.

Gomes, on the other hand, wrote about the dispute to the Brazilian minister of Science and Technology, Sergio Rezende, and to the Brazilian Society of Physics (SBF). In his message, the Brazilian scientist assured that he will recommend that his associates stop buying computers manufactured by Dell.

A Yoke on Brazil

One of the most interesting elements in this case, another on the long list of extraterritorial applications of the US blockade, this time in the field of the technology, is that the Fluminense Federal University is the Brazilian government’s competition, which is why the ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil requested explanations from the company about its attempt to control national scientists in the use of that firm’s products.

The secretary of Information Science Policy at the Brazil’s Ministry of Science and Technology, Augusto Cesar Gadelha, rejected the justification provided by Dell of trying to comply with «US laws,» assuring that the computer subsidiary is a Brazilian company, and even receives money from the state, consistent with the nation’s Computer Science Act.

«The secretary of Information Science Policy is surprised that a Brazilian company, located in national territory, is making demands based on the norms of another country in the sale of its products,” said the secretary in an official statement distributed to the press.

The indignation is due to that the university is only a middleman in the transaction with Dell, since the purchase of those computers was financed by the National Council of Development Scientific and Technological, main body promoting research in Brazil.

For that reason, specialists allege that Dell Brazil would in fact be applying the boycott not only against a teacher, but against the Brazilian government itself —an incredible violation of sovereignty— by trying to force to country to comply with irrational US laws.

It is not known how the case will be resolved. Several Brazilian physicists have already begun a campaign to boycott Dell products, which could mean considerable losses to the company. The government hopes the company clarifies its situation to prevent additional steps being taken against it.

What is believed by most Cubans is that is that the case of Dell Brazil is but a drop in the ocean of outrages that for almost five decades have been perpetrated through the blockade, which has cost the island more than $89 billion dollars and immeasurable suffering by the nation’s people.

SOURCE:
http://www.juventudrebelde.co.cu/cuba/2007-09-20/dell-pressured-to-apply-anti-cuban-american-laws-in-brazil/

9:31 PM

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