Statement by U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) On Decision to Lift the Suspension of Cuba from the Organization of American States (OAS)‏

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) issued the following statement on the decision to lift the suspension of Cuba from the Organization of American States (OAS):

“The OAS has demonstrated a willingness to overlook Cuba for its misdeeds. It has eased restrictions on a nation that has referred to the hemispheric organization as a cadaver, and unconscionable behavior by a regime that suppresses human rights and personal freedoms was rewarded today.

“The OAS has lifted the suspension on Cuba but has not readmitted the communist nation into the hemispheric organization and that is a distinction worth making. As I traveled to Mexico City and the Summit of the Americas with President Obama and congressional members, my message was straightforward: For Cuba to be readmitted to the family of nations, the onus of responsibility falls upon the Castro regime to abide by the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

“The ball is in Cuba’s court to forsake a legacy of repression and tyranny, and embrace Democratic values and ideals.”