US eases restrictions on Cuba

WASHINGTON, March 21: While retaining its punishing, three-decade-old economic embargo on Cuba, the United States has ordered a relaxation i...

WASHINGTON, March 21: While retaining its punishing, three-decade-old economic embargo on Cuba, the United States has ordered a relaxation in some of its restrictions on the Communist state apparently at the behest of Pope John Paul who paid a historic visit to its capital Havana in January to the utter surprise of Castro8217;s detractors in the US.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who made this announcement here on Friday said Cuba and its people 8220;are beginning to think beyond Cuban President Fidel Castro8221;.

She said the US would take four steps to help the Cuban people. They include: developing legislation to allow for the shipment of food to the Cuban people, increasing the licensing of those who deliver medical supplies to Cuba, allowing charter flights to Cuba for humanitarian purposes and permitting Cuban-American families to send money to their relatives back home.

Albright made it clear that these measures 8220;do not represent a change in policy toward the Cuban government.8221; The US wouldcontinue its pressure on Cuba through its economic embargo and the Helms-Burton Act, which provides for penalties for countries and companies that do business with Cuba, she added.

Castro welcomed the changes, saying they 8220;would be a positive thing8221; and 8220;would be helpful8221; in creating a better climate in relations between Cuba and the US.

In an interview CNN, he however said, 8220;We would have to study them fully to express our views,8221; insisting that the structure of Cuban government would not change. His Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina called the moves 8220;unacceptable crumbs8221;. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Geneva, he said, 8220;For the Cuban people, the blockade has to be lifted, and not just eased8221;.

The restrictions which the US now intends to lift were imposed two years ago after Cuban jets shot down two rescue airplanes carrying three US citizens and a Cuban.

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Some Congressmen from Florida, which has a large Cuban community, were critical of the unilateral easing of the sanctions andsaid that the Pope8217;s visit 8220;should not be used as a pretext to soften sanctions8221;.