[Third paragraph] For over 20 32 years the
government...pursued an economic embargo prohibiting any
all kinds of trade with Cuba. The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992
(22U.S.C.6001 et seq.) has tightened the embargo restrictions by penalizing
other countries if their ships stop in Cuba. This policy...The objectives
sought by the proponents of this policy in the Cold War era were to
force a change...
It is now clear that the embargo policy has not succeeded with those
objectives. If anything, its most evident result of the embargo
was has been to force Cuba to an even closer political and
military reliance on the Soviet Union. The Cold War is over. The socialist
bloc of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union have dissolved and no longer
exercise any influence on Cuba's foreign policy or pose any threat to the
United States. Yet the embargo continues, and continues to increase the
suffering of the Cuban people, particularly children and the elderly, due to
lack of essential medicines and food.
Whereas, tThe Methodist Church in 1964 made an
historical statement entitled the "Re-examination of Policy Toward Mainline
China, Cuba and other Countries," which said stated: "The
Christian gospel..."1
Whereas, the government of tThe United States is the
only major Western country pursuing a policy of non-relations with
Cuba., while Canada, France, Great Britain, West Germany, Japan,
Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia and almost all other countries of the western
alliance maintain normal diplomatic and/or economic relations with Cuba;
and The General Assembly of the United Nations has several times
voted overwhelmingly in favor of the United States lifting the embargo and all
restrictions against Cuba.
Whereas, tThe government of the United States has in
recent years strengthened its established commercial
and diplomatic relations with other Communist countries such as the
Soviet Union itself, China, Hungary, Poland, and Romania, Vietnam
and has increased contacts and negotiations with North Korea.
independently of their foreign policy which differs and often
collides with that of the United States; and
[Delete next paragraph.]
Whereas, tThe 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 U.S. industry and agriculture.,
especially at a time of high unemployment in this country; and
Whereas, tThe Ecumenical Council of Cuba (now
Councils of Churches in Cuba) of which the Methodist Church...and several
other international as well as 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.
Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church, from its Christian
and humanitarian perspective, inspired by the love of God and the historic
Methodist commitment to peace and social justice, and in light of historic
changes with the end of the Cold War, hereby petitions the
government of the United States to lift its economic embargo against Cuba and
seek negotiations with the Cuban government for the purpose of resuming normal
diplomatic relations. requests that the President and Congress of
the United States 1) repeal the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (22U.S.C.6001 et
seq.) as well as the 1994 tightened travel restrictions that prevent normal
working relationships between religious communities in Cuba and the United
States; and 2) resume normal diplomatic relations between the government of
Cuba an the United States.
Resolved, further, that the General Conference request that the Council of Bishops and the General Boards of Church and Society and Global Ministries advocate with the President and Congress of the United States for these changes in U.S-Cuba policy.
1"Re-examination of Policy Toward Mainland China, Cuba and other Countries"
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22338-CS-R634-U
1996 United Methodist General Conference