U.S. Travel to Cuba May Open up

U.S. Travel to Cuba May Open up
NTDTV Created: Nov 23, 2009 Last Updated: Nov 23, 2009
U.S. Travel to Cuba May Open up – New Tang Dynasty Television

Since the 1960s, by US law, they have been off limits to American
citizens.

But, on Capitol Hill this week — debate over whether to lift the travel
ban to the Communist-ruled island.

Democratic Congressman Howard Berman is Chairman of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee.

[Congressman Howard Berman, Democrat, House Foreign Affairs Committee
Chairman]:
"Lifting the travel ban will benefit both U.S. and Cuban citizens. We
need to let Americans be beacons of hope, they will bring freedom with
them, let thousands of American visitors chip away at the Castro
information monopoly with thousands of small cuts"

The United States has restricted trade with Cuba in what started as a
Cold War policy to isolate former Cuban President Fidel Castro. U.S.
President Barack Obama has said he wants to "recast" ties with Havana
and has tried to take steps to ease the embargo.

Some Congressional Republicans argue sending U.S. tourists' dollars to
Cuba would only finance the regime.

Republican Congressman Dan Burton.

[Dan Burton, Republican Congressman]:
"We shouldn't send any money down there, not a dime, except maybe for
humanitarian purposes, until this regime is removed, they need democracy
in Cuba."

The debate came a day after Human Rights Watch released a report saying
current President Raul Castro was crushing dissent like his brother Fidel.

Late Thursday, remarks by Obama appeared on the blog of dissident Cuban
Yoani Sanchez.

Asked if he would be willing to travel to Cuba, Obama said he would
never rule out a course of action that could advance the interests of
the U.S. and the cause of freedom for the Cuban people.

Epoch Times - U.S. Travel to Cuba May Open up (24 November 2009)
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/25574/