U.S. senator urges trade, travel in Cuba (Dem. Max Baucus) [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. senator urges trade, travel in Cuba
Baucus says 'democracy will take root and flourish' under changes


08:02 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 16, 2003

By TRACEY EATON / The Dallas Morning News


HAVANA – When a U.S. senator journeyed to Cuba over the weekend, he took an unusual approach, at least for a visiting dignitary: He urged that the island adopt Western-style democracy – just what his socialist hosts want to avoid.

Yet it was all hugs and handshakes during Max Baucus' visit because he supports other ideas with which the Cuban government agrees. He wants an end to the longtime ban on U.S. trade with Cuba, and he supports the sale of American food and produce to the island.

On Sunday, the Democratic senator announced that Cuba planned to buy up to $10 million in food from Montana. A law passed in 2000 allows American producers to sell to Cuba on a cash-only basis. Cuba has since purchased more than $500 million in products.

Mr. Baucus led a 28-member delegation that included U.S. Rep. Dennis Rehberg, D-Mont., political aides and businesspeople from Montana. The senator leads a push in the Senate to take the teeth out of laws preventing American tourists from visiting the island. (snip/...)

http://www.dallasnews.com/world/cuba/stories/091603dnintcuba.55850.html

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