By Anita Snow
Associated Press Writer
Monday, September 13, 1999; 6:55 p.m. EDT

HAVANA (AP) -- Cuba's National Assembly began its session Monday by lashing out at the United States, calling for sanctions against the neighboring nation for its long-standing ``genocidal'' embargo against the communist island.

In a lengthy proclamation read by National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon, the legislative body stated that ``the economic blockade imposed by the United States of America on Cuba constitutes an act of genocide.''

``This full-fledged blockade, shamelessly and euphemistically referred to in official terms with the apparently innocuous word 'embargo,' has been progressively intensified throughout the last 40 years,'' the declaration read.

The declaration said many people have died or suffered health problems because the embargo has delayed or blocked shipments of medicine produced in the United States.

The full-fledged embargo began in early 1961, two years after Fidel Castro came to power. Cuban officials constantly criticize it.

What was different about Monday's attack was its insistence that U.S. officials be legally punished with sanctions including life imprisonment. Also new was the more focused attack on restrictions on the sale of food and medicine by American companies to Cuba.

Cuba's call for sanctions is unlikely to gain momentum without some kind of international support.

But the new focus on the food and medicine issue could gain some attention, especially if Cuba takes its case to the upcoming meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque is to travel to New York for the gathering.

A number of Democratic congressman, including Senate Minority Leader Thomas Daschle of South Dakota, called for eliminating the ban on food and medicine sales after visiting Cuba in recent weeks.