DATE=1/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243793
TITLE=CUBA / U-S (L)
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS FORMALLY ANNOUNCED IT IS EASING
RESTRICTIONS ON CONTACTS WITH CUBA, BUT OFFICIALS HAVE REJECTED
THE IDEA OF A MAJOR REVIEW OF U-S POLICY TOWARD THE ISLAND
NATION. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.
TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE EASING OF
RESTRICTIONS AGAINST CUBA IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING PEACEFUL
ACTIVITIES TO HELP PREPARE FOR A RETURN TO DEMOCRACY IN THE
ISLAND NATION.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
FIRST WE WILL SEEK TO EXPOSE ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF
CUBAN SOCIETY TO DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES AND VALUES, BY
ENCOURAGING RELIGIOUS, SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL AND
ATHLETIC EXCHANGES BETWEEN OUR TWO PEOPLES.
/// END ACT ///
MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY STREAMLINING VISA
PROCEDURES FOR NON-GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND EXPANDING DIRECT
CHARTER AIRLINE FLIGHTS.
OTHER MEASURES (WHICH WERE FIRST OUTLINED ON MONDAY) INCLUDE THE
RESUMPTION OF DIRECT POSTAL SERVICE, EASING LIMITS ON WHO CAN
TRANSFER MONEY TO CUBA AND ALLOWING PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO
EXPORT FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS TO THE ISLAND.
OFFICIALS OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES BASEBALL TEAM ALSO WILL BE
ABLE TO TRAVEL TO CUBA, TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ORGANIZING
GAMES THERE AS SOON AS MARCH.
// OPT // CUBAN OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE NEW MEASURES
AND ARE STUDYING THEM, BUT THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE REACTION FROM
HAVANA. // END OPT //
MS. ALBRIGHT SAID THE STEPS THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING ARE
DESIGNED TO ENHANCE PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACT. SHE SAYS THERE
WILL BE NO LIFTING OF THE 37-YEAR-OLD ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST
CUBA.
/// SECOND ALBRIGHT ACT ///
THESE STEPS ARE NEITHER DESIGNED OR EXPECTED TO ALTER
OUR RELATIONS WITH THE CUBA GOVERNMENT. BUT TAKEN
TOGETHER, THEY CONSTITUTE A MAJOR ADVANCE IN OUR EFFORT
TO REACH OUT TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE. THEY SHOULD HELP ALL
CUBANS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNITED STATES IS ON THEIR
SIDE IN THE SEARCH FOR ECONOMIC CHOICE AND PROSPERITY.
/// END ACT ///
THE UNITED STATES FIRST BEGAN A REVIEW OF CUBA POLICY OVER THREE
YEARS AGO, BUT THE REFORM EFFORT WAS PUT ON HOLD, AND SANCTIONS
WERE TIGHTENED (IN 1996) AFTER CUBA SHOT DOWN TWO PRIVATE PLANES
OPERATED BY AN ANTI-CASTRO GROUP.
ANALYSTS SAY POPE JOHN PAUL'S VISIT TO THE ISLAND A YEAR AGO
HELPED RE-OPEN THE DOOR TO AN EASING OF U-S POLICY.
/// REST OPT ///
CUBAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS HAVE WELCOMED THE LATEST MEASURES,
SAYING THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH U-S POLICY. THE CUBAN AMERICAN
NATIONAL FOUNDATION PRAISED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR REJECTING THE
IDEA OF A FUNDAMENTAL REVIEW OF CUBA POLICY.
SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE CALLED FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A
NATIONAL COMMISSION TO REVIEW U-S POLICY TOWARD CUBA. THEY SAY
THE LATEST ACTIONS FALL SHORT OF WHAT A NATIONAL COMMISSION COULD
HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/LTD/WTW
05-Jan-99 2:07 PM EST (1907 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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