Below is the solidarity message sent by Raid Fahmi on behalf of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party to the two-day International US-Cuba Normalization Conference held in New York City March 11-12. Fahmi is secretary of the party’s Central Committee. The message was read at the closing plenary session.
10 March 2023
Dear Friends,
We convey warm greetings to your International Conference and express our appreciation for this initiative which contributes to the international movement of solidarity with Cuba.
On this occasion, we reaffirm our solidarity for the just cause of the Cuban people and their struggle for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the unjust, illegal and inhumane economic, commercial and financial blockade which has been imposed by the U.S. for more than 60 years. We also demand that the U.S. government remove Cuba from the spurious State Sponsors of Terrorism List.
We strongly condemn the blockade, which constitutes a flagrant and systematic violation of the Cuban people’s human rights. It is the main obstacle obstructing Cuba’s development.
We have also rejected the tightening of the unjust blockade on Cuba by the Trump administration, including the 243 measures that reinforced the financial and commercial siege. These measures remain in place.
While wishing your Conference every success, we look forward to developing the international movement of solidarity with the Cuban people and mobilizing the international community in support for Cuba’s sovereignty and independence.