St John's, Antigua .
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is expressing "great concern" at the decision of the United States to continue placing Cuba on a list of "State Sponsors of Terrorism".
The leaders of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, who have just ended a summit in Antigua said they were of the "view that was no justification for this action and reiterated their solidarity with Cuba".
Cuba has been on the list since March 1, 1982, and according to the US Department of State, countries placed on the list face sanctions including restrictions on US foreign assistance; a ban on defence exports and sales; certain controls over exports of dual use items; and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
Washington said that designation on the list "also implicates other sanctions laws that penalise persons and countries engaging in certain trade with state sponsors".
The communiqué issued at the end of the OECS summit here noted that the sub-regional countries have also reiterated "their appreciation for the continued beneficial relations between Cuba and OECS member states".
