US eases decade-old sanctions on Cuba

8220;There is a general consensus on the idea of helping the Cuban people and promoting human rights8230; there is a disagreement on the embargo and I don8217;t think any bipartisan commission could resolve that,8221; an official said.

Instead, the administration will recommend measures to promote greater people-to-people contacts, fewer restrictions on direct flights to Cuba and a direct mail service with the island state, officials said.

Under the relaxed rules, intended to 8220;make life easier without strengthening the Castroregime8221;, US individuals and NGOs can make remittances to Cubans while private Cuban entities can buy US food and agricultural inputs.

Hitherto, only Cuban Americans were allowed to remit up to 300 dollars back home.

Washington, uncomfortable with a Communist regime in its own backyard8217; pumped in millions to replace it with a more friendly government, but eased sanctions late last year, recognising the futility of pursuing such a policy.

Officials hinted domestic political considerations were a major factor in deciding against setting up a bipartisan commission for a comprehensive review of the United States8217; Cuba policy.

8220;We want to continue to elicit support of the people who signed up for the commission. At the same time it8217;s very important to keep in touch with those who howled about what we did last time,8221; one official said.

At least 15 Republican Senators wrote to President Bill Clinton in October, when the 36-year-old sanctions were partially eased, seeking a complete review of policy onCuba.

A complete lifting of sanctions would require a change in US law that was difficult to think of at this stage, the official said but conceded that Cubans 8220;need more space.8221;

8220;The embargo is the law of the land and we have to keep operating within executive authority we have8230; it takes a while. There are no easy solutions,8221; he said.

The US will also, for the first time since it slapped unilateral sanctions on Cuba, allow a baseball team to visit Havana for a series of exhibition matches with the Cuban national team for charity.

At the same time the US said it would enhance capabilities of the Miami-based Radio Marti, which broadcasts anti-government material indicating there would be no let up of pressure on Cuba to allow greater political freedom.

The arrangements would be 8220;structured in a way that which promotes people-to-people contacts, facilitate humanitarian assistance and minimise benefits to the Cuban government8221;, the official said.