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International Momentum Builds towards UN Vote Blockader gets blockaded -- "Excuse me sirs, let me through!" (Granma) International momentum is building towards the October 26 vote on the resolution opposing the U.S. blockade of Cuba. News agencies report that activities are being held worldwide, while leaders of various countries are also speaking out against the blockade. In Jamaica, the House of Representatives has approved for the second time a resolution supporting the removal of the U.S. trade embargo. Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. the Hon. Kenneth Baugh, assured the House that Jamaica would vote 'yes' on the United Nation's resolution against the embargo. "Jamaica believes that the continued unilateral application of the embargo by the United States against Cuba, affects the free flow of trade not only in the region, but in the hemisphere," Dr. Baugh said. "To this end, the Government has not promulgated any law or measure that would obstruct the freedom of commercial activity, trade and economic cooperation, or which would be in violation of the sovereignty and the rights of the Cuban people," he added. Dr. Baugh also noted that Jamaica has affirmed the position of the Group of 77, and the non-aligned countries, opposing the embargo. "I want to reiterate we have continued to escalate the trading and the cooperation between Cuba and Jamaica. Jamaica maintains that constructive conversations remain the most acceptable means for advancing peace and stability in the region, as in any other part of the world," Dr. Baugh said. Elsewhere, the Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies, located in Trinidad and Tobago, convened an October 15 forum on Caribbean perspectives in relation to the U.S. blockade against Cuba. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, while travelling in Russia on October 15, reiterated his country's support for Cuba and condemned the economic, financial and commercial blockade, emphasizing that his country will always be stand with Cuba. In late September, representatives of Uruguay and Paraguay  spoke out at the UN General assembly as part of the increasing condemnation expressed during the debates of the UN General Assembly against the US blockade of Cuba. Uruguayan Foreign Minister Luis Almagro expressed his country’s condemnation of the threat of force, terrorism and all kinds of violence, and of the implementation of coercive measures that are contrary to the UN Charter. He cited the commercial, economic and financial blockade of the United States against Cuba, which he firmly condemned, Prensa Latina reported. He added that that siege constitutes a unilateral measure contrary to Cuba, to international law, and to one of the dearest principles of his country’s foreign policy: the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Paraguayan Foreign Minister Hector Lacognata condemned the coercive economic measures aimed at preventing countries from exerting their sovereign right to decide their own political, economic and social systems. He also underscored Paraguay's condemnation of the unilateral measures against Cuba and reiterated his country's support for the resolutions adopted by the UN to put an end to the blockade. These statements were part of some 30 interventions opposing the blockade made in just the opening days of the 65th UN General Assembly. Bolivian President Evo Morales in a September press conference at the Presidential  Palace in La Paz, said the blockade is a hostile policy that is destined to fail, while pointing out the great advances Cuba has made despite the blockade in different areas such as public safety and social programs Prensa Latina reported.  Elsewhere, in Zimbabwe, Cuba's ambassador to that country Enrique A. Prieto López made an October 20 courtesy  call to Zimbabwean Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Mutambara. Prieto López thanked the the senior official for the solidarity and steadfast support of his government and its president Robert Mugabe for the international demand to lift the blockade. The ambassador likewise expressed the Cuba's support for the demand to lift Western sanctions on Zimbabwe, as well as elaborating on the historical solidarity that exists between the two peoples and countries. On President Mugabe's behalf, Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara referred to the friendship and solidarity between the two nations as an everlasting one. He praised Cuban support for Zimbabwean independence and that of other countries of the region. He condemned the blockade of Cuba and the Western sanctions against his country, calling for the diversification of the existing bilateral relations, as well as saluting the leadership and support of Fidel Castro and Ché Guevara in the fight of the African countries for their freedom. (Cubaminrex-RHC, Prensa Latina)