U.S. Exporters to Cuba Say Cash Blocked (Banks say by US Gov't)

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - Some companies that sell food and agricultural products to Cuba are reporting that payments are not being credited to their bank accounts in the United States, according to a representative of a group that tracks business between the two countries.



John Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council Inc., said Tuesday that fewer than half a dozen companies have contacted his organization recently about such problems.


He said banks have confirmed receipt of payments from Cuba but have not credited the accounts of exporters on instructions from the U.S. government.


A spokeswoman for the Treasury Department (news - web sites) said its Office of Foreign Assets Control, which enforces the economic embargo against Cuba, is looking into the matter. OFAC, she said, has been asked to clarify the government's policy regarding payments. She wouldn't say who requested the clarification.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=693&e=7&u=/ap/20041124/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_cuba