Source: http://embacuba.cubaminrex.cu/Default.aspx?tabid=8549 http://embacuba.cubaminrex.cu/Default.aspx?tabid=8549
Date: September 4, 2008

Statement by H.E. Ms. Ileana Núñez Mordoche, Chargé d’Affaires a.i of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations, during the debate on the Review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. New York, 4 September 2008.

Mr. President,
The Cuban delegation would like to express its appreciation to the Secretary General for the submission of the Report on the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and likewise to praise the efforts made by the Permanent Representative of Guatemala, Ambassador Gert Rosenthal, who facilitated the informal consultations for the negotiations of the resolution on the review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
The Cuban delegation wishes to ratify the importance of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly as the principal and most democratic organ of the United Nations system. This document must become the main instrument to guide our global struggle against the scourge of terrorism, which has claimed so many innocent lives through history.  
The counter-terrorist fight is an issue of crucial interest and importance for the Cuban Government and people. As it has been extensively documented, for over 45 years the Cuban people has been the victim of countless terrorist acts conceived with the hatred and the irrational desires of an international power that has not ceased in its attempts of ending the economic, political and social system we have chosen exercising our right to self-determination and independence. There have been a heavy toll of human lives and serious economic damages in our people caused by the State terrorism and sabotages policy promoted by that power against my people.     
Mr. President,
Once again, Cuba expresses its firm commitment to combat against terrorism and defend multilateralism. It ratifies its strongest condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever, by whomever, against whomsoever committed, regardless their motivations, including those in which States are involved.
  
Aware of the high responsibility we all bear in the fight against terrorism and committed to the multilateral efforts to end this scourge, the Cuban delegation participated in the consultative process to elaborate the Resolution on the review of the Strategy.

Regarding the review of the Strategy, the Cuban delegation considers that some aspects could be overcome in the future: 
 There should be clear functioning mechanisms for the working( groups created by the Special Task Force. 
 The interaction between the Special Task Force and the Member( States as well as the specific mechanism to be used to that end should be strengthened. 
Our delegation underlines the importance of the institutionalization of the Special Task Force as reflected in the draft resolution to be adopted by the General Assembly.
Mr. President,
Cuba fully rejects the use of the fight against terrorism as a pretext to justify the interference in the internal affairs of other States, the aggression, and the breach of the States’ national sovereignty.  
Terrorism is a phenomenon that has to be combated by the entire international community, in an environment of close cooperation and with due respect for the Charter of the United Nations and the International Law.
Finally, Mr. President, I would like to reiterate the firm and iron willingness of the Cuban Government and people to cooperate in the multilateral efforts so as to put an end, once and for all, to all acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Thank you very much.