Brussels, April 23 (RHC)-- Cubans living in Belgium and other European countries have expressed their rejection of the application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Law by the United States, which they consider an "aggressive escalation against our homeland," diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

In an open letter, they stated that "The Empire, with its Cold War mentality, has announced the application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Law in violation of International Law, together with other measures aiming to make Cuba its backyard colony.¨

The signatories of the letter strongly condemned what they termed: "This new and sterile attempt to obstruct the normal bond with our families.  We urge the European Union to oppose the illegitimate and illegal extraterritorial application of Helms-Burton, which has been widely rejected by the international community since its enactment in 1996."

The statement was issued by the Association of Cuban Residents in Belgium, Cubabel, and joined by their Cuban counterparts from France, Austria, Latvia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Sweden.