June 10, 2008
The Canadian Peace Congress condemns the decision of the US Court on June 4th 2008 to uphold the punitive and unjust convictions of the Five Cuban Patriots imprisoned for ten years on trumped up and discredited accusations of spying.
The decision of the US Court is a continuation in the 21st century of US imperialism’s cold-war hostility towards the Cuban people for daring to uphold their sovereignty and their right to the economic and political system of their choice.
Dissociating Canada from the Bush Administration’s policy of vengeance towards the Cuban Five is in accord with Canadian public opinion that by and large rejects the right-wing extremist contention that terrorism in international affairs is permissible when practiced by the US Government.
The Canadian Peace Congress joins with all those Canadians who value the normal, realistic and non-belligerent relations existing between Canada and Cuba. We deplore any pandering to revenge seeking extremists who seek to convince Canadians that when Cuba is considered, UN Resolutions and all international norms and law that uphold Cuban sovereignty can be ignored.
We call upon the Harper Government and all opposition MP’s to join and support the world-wide demand that the Bush Administration release the Cuban Five and safely return them to their homeland and to their families. Releasing the Cuban Five will reduce international tensions, strengthen the cause of peace and help to restrain those who advocate threats and further military attacks on Cuba .
Canadian Peace Congress.
