HAVANA, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Cuban lawmakers on Monday called on parliaments across the world to demand an unconditional and immediate end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.

    In a declaration delivered at a public parliamentary hearing, the lawmakers urged legislators worldwide to demand US President George W. Bush stop the program to aid "Free Cuba." They also urged Washington to get its hands off the country.

    According to the document, the direct economic damage caused bythe decades-old blockade has surpassed 82 billion US dollars.

    The US blockade bans Cuban exports to the United States and bars US citizens from directly traveling to Cuba.

    In view of the US policy on Cuba, US Vessels and aircraft are not allowed to dock or land at Cuban ports and airports, the Cuban government said.

    Ricardo Alarcon, president of the National Assembly of the Popular Power (ANPP), highlighted the recent statements by the 15th Ibero-American Summit held in Salmanca, Spain, which condemned the US blockade against Cuba and pressed for an end to this policy.

    He expressed confidence that this year, for the 14th time, the General Assembly of the United Nations will approve a resolution rejecting this economic war aimed at crippling Cuba's independenceand sovereignty.

    The resolution urged all countries to comply with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles enshrined in the international legal instruments, repeal or invalidate all the lawsand measures with the "extraterritorial effects" that affect the sovereignty of other states. Enditem