Push to end U.S. curbs on Cuba travel renewed

[babylonsister]

Push to end U.S. curbs on Cuba travel renewed

By Lesley Clark | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Buoyed by a new administration, advocates for trade with Cuba unveiled a bill Tuesday that would lift travel restrictions to the island, allowing Americans to visit there freely.

The bipartisan group of senators, who've long pushed for increased trade with Cuba, say they think that momentum is now on their side, noting that President Barack Obama campaigned on a promise to change U.S.-Cuba policy.

The new bill would bar the president from regulating travel to Cuba, and its supporters said it would help bring changes to the communist-led nation, which for 50 years has been governed by Fidel Castro and now his younger brother, Raul.

Current U.S. policy "has done nothing to weaken the Castro regime," said the bill's chief champion, Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who's introduced the bill since 2003. "It's long past the time to change this ill-advised policy."

Proponents of hard-line sanctions against the regime vowed to block the legislation, however — as they have for the past two sessions of Congress — saying that the bill would enrich Cuban government coffers by promoting tourism to the island.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/politics/story/65199.html

[dipsydoodle]

1. promoting tourism to the island ?

Might not be quite that simple. Cubans don't like US$'s - they prefer Euros and may even refuse the former.

Aside from that tourism is probably the least issue as far as the USA is concerned. Given the USA's proximity I'd thunk that tangible exports could be more important.

[babylonsister]

2. I'd love to go to Cuba personally.

And maybe Cubans don't like US dollars because we have been forbidden to go there. Anything or anyone that can contribute to their economy I'm pretty sure would be welcomed with open arms.

As for trade, that looks like that's going to happen sooner rather than later according to the article. It's all good, or getter better than it's been in years.

[dipsydoodle]

3. I only know about the US$ issue

from my son going there on holiday few times, one of my cousins marrying a Cuban here in England and general chit chat in our Latin America forum here on DU. I think they prefer the stability of the Euro. :shrug:

Tourism from the EU to Cuba is a huge market and has been so for years.

[Postman]

4. Wouldn't it be funny if Cuba said -- we don't want you here --

[Mika]

5. Cubans have wanted Americans to visit Cuba for 50+ years.

Pay attention.

[Postman]

6. I know that....

I was being facetious