Obama to lift "Cuba restrictions"

[CougarKing]

A prelude to the eventual end of the US embargo on Cuba?

US President Barack Obama is to lift some restrictions that will allow Cuban Americans to travel more freely to Cuba, White House sources say.

Cuban-Americans will also be allowed to send more money to relatives in Cuba.

The move, to be officially announced later on Monday, comes after Mr Obama last month signed a spending bill easing some economic sanctions on Cuba.

"Restrictions on the families will be lifted," an unnamed White House official told news agency AFP.

The Associated Press quoted an unnamed "senior administration official" as saying that President Obama had directed his administration to allow unlimited travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family in Cuba.

President Obama has indicated he would be open to dialogue with Cuba's leaders.

But he has said that, like previous American presidents, he will only consider a full lifting of the embargo once Cuba's communist government makes significant moves such as the holding of democratic elections.

Cuba's President Raul Castro has said he is prepared to negotiate with the new US administration, providing there are no preconditions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7997063.stm

 

[Greymatters]

Its not earth-shaking, but it is an improvement...

 

[Yrys]

Obama offers Cuba 'new beginning', Saturday, 18 April 2009 07:17 UK
Charter Companies Flying to Cuba Thrive, Published: May 19, 2009

US offers migration talks to Cuba, Friday, 22 May 2009 00:50 UK

The US has recently eased curbs
on visits to Cuba

Washington has offered to resume talks on legal immigration by Cubans to the US,
the US state department says. It says the move aims to "reaffirm both sides' commit-
ment to safe, legal and orderly migration".

The talks were halted in 2003 after Havana refused to give exit permits to people who
had been granted US visas.

In March, President Barack Obama eased restrictions on visits to the Communist island
by Cuban-Americans and allowed them to send money home more easily. Curbs on
sending medicines and food were also eased.

The legislation overturned rules imposed by the Bush administration which had limited
travel to just two weeks every three years and had confined visits to immediate family
members.

'Seeking dialogue'

On Friday, State Department spokeswoman Darla Jordan said President Obama wanted
"to ensure that we are doing all we can to support the Cuban people in fulfilling their
desire to live in freedom". "He will continue to make policy decisions accordingly," the
spokeswoman added.

Cuba has so far not commented on Washington's latest offer.

President Obama has recently indicated he would be open to dialogue with Cuba's leaders.
But he has said that, like previous American presidents, he will only consider a full lifting
of the embargo - in place since 1962 - once Cuba makes significant moves such as the
holding of democratic elections.

Cuba's President Raul Castro has said he is prepared to negotiate with the new US
administration, providing there are no preconditions.