Whereas, the total embargo of trade with Cuba (in effect for over 30 years) has created vast shortages of food supplies, building repair materials, personal care items, clothing, medicine, and health care equipment;
Whereas, Cuba remains the only country against whom the United States maintains a total trade embargo (including humanitarian aid);
Whereas the United Methodist Homes of the Wyoming Conference is developing a partner relationship with Hogar Cristiano Metodista (a small nursing home facility operated by the Methodist Church of Cuba) to improve the quality of health care for its residents through training, an increased supply of medicine, and the updating of medical equipment;
Whereas, the only means currently of delivering these desperately needed items is limited to personally carrying the items in very limited quantities;
Whereas the government of the United States has in recent years strengthened its commercial and diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and has also increased contacts and negotiations with North Korea, independently of their foreign policy which contradicts that of the United States;
Whereas the lifting of the economic embargo against Cuba, a member of the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) would help relieve tensions in the Caribbean while creating a new and important market for American industry and agriculture;
Whereas the Council of Churches of Cuba of which the Methodist Church of Cuba is a member, the Cuban Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops, and several other international and U.S. religious bodies such as the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the American Baptist Churches have passed resolutions in favor of lifting the embargo;
Whereas, more than two hundred and fifty Christians from approximately 23 Protestant denominations and diverse ecumenical movements met in 1994 with leaders of the Cuban Communist Party and of the government, at the highest levels, to discuss both accomplishments and shortcomings of the revolutionary process; and to encourage the government to take measures that guarantee a greater respect for and the promotion of human rights;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the 1996 General Conference of the United Methodist Church request that the President and Congress of the United States cooperate to:
1) repeal the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (22 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.), as well as the 1994 tightening of travel restrictions that prevent the normal working relationship between religious communities in Cuba and the United States;
2) resume normal diplomatic relations between the government of Cuba and the United States;
Be it further resolved, that this resolution be advocated by the Council of Bishops, the General Board of Church and Society, and the General Board of Global Ministries.
Be it further resolved that the secretary of the 1996 General Conference send a copy of this resolution to William Clinton, President of the United States.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20026-CS-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference