RUSSIAN-CL BAN CALL: ‘Withdraw from Guantanamo’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33452, 6 February 1974, Page 11

RUSSIAN-CL BAN CALL: ‘Withdraw from Guantanamo’

(.VZ.P..4.-Renter— Copyright) MOSCOW, February 5. The Soviet Union has called for, an end to “the economic and political blockade of Cuba,” and has given her support to Cuban demands for a withdrawal of United States forces from the Guantanamo naval base.

In a joint Russian-Cuban declaration released in Moscow, the Soviet Union says: “We resolutely demand an end to the economic and political blockade, and other

hostile actions taken against 'Cuba.” The declaration was signed in Havana on Saturday by the Soviet Union Communist Party leader (Mr Leonid Brezhnev) and the Cuban Prime Minister (Dr Castro) but was published only after Mr Brezhnev’s return to Moscow from his week-long visit. The United States Navy blockaded the Caribbean island for one month in the autumn of 1962, and America has boycotted Cuban sugar —the island’s main source of revenue — since Dr Castro’s 1959 revolution. “The U.S.S.R.' reiterates that she regards as lawful and just the demand of the Republic of Cuba for the unconditional removal of the American Guantanomo naval base in its territory, and fully supports this demand,” the declaration stated. The United States held on to the base after the revolution, but Dr Castro’s Government has refused to accept the nominal rent of SUSSOOO a year offered by America.