Baucus Introduces Bill Easing Trade and Travel Restrictions with Cuba

[magbana]

Baucus Introduces Bill Easing Trade and Travel Restrictions With Cuba
5/20/2009 4:44 PM ET

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/Policy.aspx?Id=955973

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), along with 15 other Democratic and Republican Senators, introduced a bill Wednesday to ease US trade and travel restrictions with Cuba.

The bill would help US farmers and ranchers export their products to Cuba by allowing timely and direct cash payments for agricultural goods.

This works by allowing US banks to receive payment directly from Cuban banks for Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA)-authorized agricultural transactions.

It also requires the Agriculture Department to promote US agricultural exports to Cuba and to offer technical assistance to US entities interested in these transactions.

Further, it lifts the current ban on traveling to Cuba, allowing US citizens and legal residents to travel to Cuba, and it eases restrictions on exports of medicines and medical devices.

According to research prepared by staff at the independent International Trade Commission, removing US export restrictions could increase the annual US share of Cuba's agriculture imports to nearly 65 percent, representing an annual boost of over $450 million in US agriculture sales.

"It's time for us to face the facts regarding Cuba," Baucus said.

"It's a fact that Cuba is one of our closest export markets. It's a fact that our current trade and travel sanctions aren't working. And it's a fact that our farmers and ranchers in Montana - and across the United States - need help selling their high quality products in Cuba."

Relations between the US and Cuba have long been strained, with the US formerly having a complete embargo on travel and trade with Cuba, citing the abuses of the communist regime of Cuba's former leader, Fidel Castro.

Castro's regime was accused of human rights violations, with thousands of illegal immigrants fleeing the country to the US.

Since Obama took office, however, relations between the US and Cuba have begun to soften.

Obama has tried to establish more diplomatic ties with Cuba, stating that the US "seeks a new beginning" during the opening ceremonies of last month's Summit of the Americas (Cuba was not invited to the summit).

"I know there is a longer journey that must be traveled in overcoming decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day," Obama said at the summit.

"I am prepared to have my administration engage with the Cuban government on a wide range of issues — from human rights, free speech, and democratic reform to drugs, migration, and economic issues."

by RTT Staff Writer

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[Judi Lynn]

1. Baucus has been working on this goal for years, hasn't he?

One of these days he's going to succeed.

Here he is long ago:

http://votetaylorbrown.com.nyud.net:8090/images/Taylor%20with%20Castro%20for%20web.jpg

On a Trade Mission in Cuba with
Montana Senator Max Baucus,
Cuban President Fidel Castro,
and Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg

http://granmai.co.cu.nyud.net:8090/fotos1/diciembre04/inician.jpg
Trade negotiation round underway with U.S. business sector

BY ALEXIS SCHLACTER—Granma daily staff writer—

Despite U.S. government restrictions imports of foodstuffs from that country have continued throughout 2004.

That was announced at the International Conference center by Pedro Alvarez Borrego, president of ALIMPORT, at the opening of a new round of Cuba-US trade negotiations, coinciding with the third anniversary of the first shipment of merchandise from the northern nation to our country after 40 years.

Participating in the meeting, which goes on until Friday, are 343 U.S. entrepreneurs from 166 companies in 30 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

According to the ALIMPORT president, the complex payment mechanism via banks in third countries, given the non-existence of direct banking relations, has provoked Cuban financial losses amounting to more than $11 million, as well as the delay of ships and containers in ports through not receiving merchandise on time.

He stressed the need for Cuba-U.S. trade to be two-way and for the opening of a space for exports from the island. For its part, Cuba will continue honoring its commitments. To date cash payments, all on time, amount to $974.78 million and close to four million metric tons have been imported via 425 voyages/ships.

U.S. figures to speak during the opening session included Max Baucus, senator for Montana; Patty Judge, Iowa agricultural secretary; Robert Spear, Maine agricultural secretary; and Terry Coleman, speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.

http://granmai.co.cu/ingles/2004/diciembre/juev16/52ronda.html

[Mika]

2. Same ol' swill. Keeping the pot stirred.. maintaining the campaign contributions.

Since Obama took office, however, relations between the US and Cuba have begun to soften.

Really? OK, let's see (as they say, actions speak louder than words)...

Obama has tried to establish more diplomatic ties with Cuba, stating that the US "seeks a new beginning"...

Sounds good. A new beginning is always a good thing when the old routines weren't working.

"I am prepared to have my administration engage with the Cuban government on a wide range of issues — from human rights, free speech, and democratic reform to drugs, migration, and economic issues."

HUH!!11!! :wtf: :wow: This is the "new beginning"? Rolling out the same old claptrap? How is it that the US sets the agenda (or tries to) again? And.. coming on strong to Cuba in the very areas that the US is at its most worst?? I mean.. the utter chutzpah!

Way to roll out the "new beginning", Mr Obama (and Hil). :freak:



US gulags out of Guantanamo NOW!