UN General Assembly
1964

214. We have heard several speakers stress the importance of the disarmament problem. We agree that it is a vital question for humanity, in view of the accumulation of destructive weapons by certain Powers. Nevertheless, it would be foolish to believe that any progress can be made towards disarmament while certain contentious issues that are a source of discord in various parts of the world, remain, unsettled. 215. The crisis in the Caribbean is a striking example of such a situation. One State, the Republic of Cuba, has adopted a constitution which does not find favour with another Power, the United States of America. In spite of Havana's repeated appeals, the United States will not agree to evacuate the Guantanamo base and is continuing the economic blockade against the Cuban people. 216. Let us now turn from Latin America, where nations are struggling to secure recognition of their right to exist, to Cyprus. Here, too, a racial conflict conceals foreign influence which is seeking to preserve the control of certain Powers over that island.