House Foreign Affairs Committee

U.S. House of Representatives

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican

CONTACT:     Brad Goehner, (202) 226-8467, June 3, 2009

Alex Cruz, (202) 225-8200

                        http://foreignaffairs.republicans.house.gov

For IMMEDIATE Release

Ros-Lehtinen Comments on Lifting of 1962 OAS Cuba Suspension

( WASHINGTON ) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on today’s passage of a resolution lifting the 1962 suspension of Cuba from the Organization of American States (OAS).  Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Now we know where the priorities of the OAS lie.  Rather than upholding democratic principles and fundamental freedoms, OAS member states, led by the OAS Secretary General, could not move quickly enough to appease their tyrannical idols in Cuba .

 “Today’s decision by the OAS is an affront to the Cuban people and to all who struggle for freedom, democracy, and fundamental human rights.

 “Far from strengthening the OAS, today’s resolution flies in the face of the organization’s founding charter.  No U.S. taxpayer funds should go towards supporting this sham of an organization that once prided itself on its historic commitment to democracy and human rights.”

BACKGROUND:  The Communist Government of Cuba was expelled from participating in the inter-American system on January 31, 1962.  Citing the OAS charter and the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, OAS Members recognized that the Cuban regime’s actions not only violated the founding principles of the Inter-American system, but also directly threatened regional security.