SPAIN SELLS TRUCKS TO CUBA
Wasnington continues to froth at the mouth as its policy of blockading the valiant people on the tiny island of Cuba brings greater and greater sheme and discredit on the mightiest imperialist power in the world, On February 14, the State. Department said that it was cutting off economic and milite ry aid to powers whose ships and planes continued to carry on peaceful trade with Cuba,
The first action in accordance with this new step was the cutting off of small military-aid programs to Britain, France and Yugoslavia, and the freezing of aid to Spain and Morocco at present levels, _ The reaction. in these countries to this brandishing of the whip was « storm of ridicule and protest. Much was made of the fact that the U.S, continues to carry on trace with the Soviet Union,
In addition to these steps, Secretary of State Dean Rusk on February 16 gave the greenlight to all the most reactionary forces in the United States to start local boycotts against any country continuing to trade with Cuba.
Rusk did this. through the "clever" device of stating that no "official" retaliation would be taken against these countries. However, the same effect might occur thr ough individual action, "I think it is possible," he said, “there may be some consumer reaction here in this country with respect to firms that specifically engage in that trade, But that is something that is in the hands of private citizens; we have no part in that ourselves,"
Later declerations, softening the harsh impact of this move changed nothing in essence,
The gneshing of teeth along the Potomac river and on the island of Manhattan, however, did not appear to have grated on European busin- ‘ess ears, .
In Madrid, February 17, it was announced that eighteen Pegaso trucks had been loaded at Santander on the English ship New Gate, bound for Havana, Fourteen of them were dump trucks,
‘A reporter said that he had learned from "good sources" that this was but the first consignment on an order for 100 vehicles. And Spain may still sell Cuba the fishing boats she needs,
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