The US attack on Cuba's health
CMAJ 1997;157:1511
Re: "The US attack on Cuba's health" (CMAJ 1997;157[3]:281-4 [full text / résumé]), by Dr. Anthony F. Kirkpatrick
In response to: A. Lielmanis; D.T.H. Paine; R. Garfield
Letters from Drs. Lielmanis and Paine illustrate how political passions can obscure the real issue: the role of the US in attacking the health of the Cuban people. Some of Paine's comments seem disingenuous. For example, he states that "obviously" CMAJ did not properly peer review my editorial and asks: "Please tell me which dread epidemic caused 50 000 people to suffer . . .?" The epidemic is well documented, and the editorial provides a reference from The Lancet. Moreover, if another epidemic or major natural disaster befalls Cuba while the US policy is in effect, thousands more will die.
The current US policy of restricting Cuba's access to food and medical supplies is a direct violation of universally recognized human rights and other international law. This was noted in a February 1995 letter to the US government from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States. In a Sept. 15 letter to Prof. Harry E. Vanden and me, the State Department declined to document the sources for the information in its revised fact sheet. That the State Department continues to conspire to cover up US violations of international law and human rights by releasing incorrect information undermines the very foundations of human decency and democracy.
Canada has rightly decided to pursue an independent course. Perhaps the US Congress should exercise its responsibility for oversight of the Executive Branch and call for an independent hearing on the matter.
Anthony F. Kirkpatrick, MD, PhD
College of Medicine
University of South Florida
Tampa, Fla.
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