Cuban Embargo

Pope John Paul II will visit Cuba next month to establish a dialogue with the Cuban government and its people. I believe that given the powerful message that his visit provides, it will confirm that the United States and others have engaged in undermining what the rest of the world has supported--an end to the blockade. Several years ago, the United Nations took a vote and with the exception of Great Britain and the U.S., this diplomatic body voted to lift the embargo.

I believe that the pope’s visit will further demonstrate that Cuba should not be further penalized by this political roadblock. I also believe that at the very least the blockade should be totally lifted for medicine and other life necessities that are much needed in Cuba.

I applaud the pope for taking this extraordinary step to bring attention to the plight of the Cuban people who have been victimized by a 30-year-old political dispute between the U.S. and Cuba.

FRANK PEREZ

Culver City