M. Pettigrew a demandé la libération immédiate de tous les prisonniers politiques, ce qu'il avait déjà fait en avril à l'occasion de la visite à Ottawa du sous-ministre cubain des Affaires étrangères.
Minister Pettigrew went on to underline Canada's continued concern over the Cuban government's lack of respect for civil and political rights. He also reiterated Canada's request for the immediate release of all political prisoners, something he had previously done in April when Cuba's vice-minister of foreign affairs had visited Ottawa.