Fox defends policy towards Cuba
JOSÉ LUIS RUIZ AND ANA ANABITARTE / EL UNIVERSAL / Bloomberg News
El Universal
Domingo 16 de octubre de 2005
Nuestro mundo, página 1
Salamanca, Spain.- President Vicente Fox reasserted Mexico's long-standing position against the economic blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba Saturday on his last day at the 15th Ibero-American Summit here.
The remarks followed a resolution passed Thursday by the 17 heads of state present at the summit of nations, consisting of Latin America, Spain and Portugal, condemning U.S. policy towards Cuba.
In the text, the term "blockade" was used for the first time by the international body in place of "embargo," a term favored by the United States.
Fox said that in his opinion the measure against Cuba was an attack on the welfare of the Cuban people.
"Mexico has long held this position, a position that it will not change but maintain out of what we deem to be respect and justice," said Fox during his final press conference of the summit.
He stated that to try to solve the Cuban situation by means of a commercial and economic embargo or blockade "is out of touch with reality."
Fox also said that while he respects the U.S. position against Cuba, he is not concerned with Washington's opinion of Mexico's stance on the issue.
In other comments Saturday, Fox continued to call for a migration agreement with the United States.
A pact would "give order and stability to migration, help ensure the rights of migrants are respected and strengthen our economies."
He also praised a deal struck late Friday ending the threat of a nationwide health workers' strike.
"The pension issue is a priority for my government and also a priority for our economy," Fox said.
Fox's administration has long maintained that early retirements and generous pension schemes for health workers under the previous plan were unsustainable.
Late Friday, the union agreed to a modest pay raise. Provisions approved last year by lawmakers to reduce costs for the federal government remained unchanged.
© 2005 Copyright El Universal-El Universal Online
El Universal
Domingo 16 de octubre de 2005
Nuestro mundo, página 1
Salamanca, Spain.- President Vicente Fox reasserted Mexico's long-standing position against the economic blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba Saturday on his last day at the 15th Ibero-American Summit here.
The remarks followed a resolution passed Thursday by the 17 heads of state present at the summit of nations, consisting of Latin America, Spain and Portugal, condemning U.S. policy towards Cuba.
In the text, the term "blockade" was used for the first time by the international body in place of "embargo," a term favored by the United States.
Fox said that in his opinion the measure against Cuba was an attack on the welfare of the Cuban people.
"Mexico has long held this position, a position that it will not change but maintain out of what we deem to be respect and justice," said Fox during his final press conference of the summit.
He stated that to try to solve the Cuban situation by means of a commercial and economic embargo or blockade "is out of touch with reality."
Fox also said that while he respects the U.S. position against Cuba, he is not concerned with Washington's opinion of Mexico's stance on the issue.
In other comments Saturday, Fox continued to call for a migration agreement with the United States.
A pact would "give order and stability to migration, help ensure the rights of migrants are respected and strengthen our economies."
He also praised a deal struck late Friday ending the threat of a nationwide health workers' strike.
"The pension issue is a priority for my government and also a priority for our economy," Fox said.
Fox's administration has long maintained that early retirements and generous pension schemes for health workers under the previous plan were unsustainable.
Late Friday, the union agreed to a modest pay raise. Provisions approved last year by lawmakers to reduce costs for the federal government remained unchanged.
© 2005 Copyright El Universal-El Universal Online
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/12324.html
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