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DATE=1/5/99 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-243793 TITLE=CUBA / U-S (L) BYLINE=KYLE KING DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS FORMALLY ANNOUNCED IT IS EASING RESTRICTIONS ON CONTACTS WITH CUBA, BUT OFFICIALS HAVE REJECTED THE IDEA OF A MAJOR REVIEW OF U-S POLICY TOWARD THE ISLAND NATION. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE EASING OF RESTRICTIONS AGAINST CUBA IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING PEACEFUL ACTIVITIES TO HELP PREPARE FOR A RETURN TO DEMOCRACY IN THE ISLAND NATION. /// ALBRIGHT ACT /// FIRST WE WILL SEEK TO EXPOSE ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF CUBAN SOCIETY TO DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES AND VALUES, BY ENCOURAGING RELIGIOUS, SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL AND ATHLETIC EXCHANGES BETWEEN OUR TWO PEOPLES. /// END ACT /// MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY STREAMLINING VISA PROCEDURES FOR NON-GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND EXPANDING DIRECT CHARTER AIRLINE FLIGHTS. OTHER MEASURES (WHICH WERE FIRST OUTLINED ON MONDAY) INCLUDE THE RESUMPTION OF DIRECT POSTAL SERVICE, EASING LIMITS ON WHO CAN TRANSFER MONEY TO CUBA AND ALLOWING PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO EXPORT FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS TO THE ISLAND. OFFICIALS OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES BASEBALL TEAM ALSO WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO CUBA, TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ORGANIZING GAMES THERE AS SOON AS MARCH. // OPT // CUBAN OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE NEW MEASURES AND ARE STUDYING THEM, BUT THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE REACTION FROM HAVANA. // END OPT // MS. ALBRIGHT SAID THE STEPS THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACT. SHE SAYS THERE WILL BE NO LIFTING OF THE 37-YEAR-OLD ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA. /// SECOND ALBRIGHT ACT /// THESE STEPS ARE NEITHER DESIGNED OR EXPECTED TO ALTER OUR RELATIONS WITH THE CUBA GOVERNMENT. BUT TAKEN TOGETHER, THEY CONSTITUTE A MAJOR ADVANCE IN OUR EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE. THEY SHOULD HELP ALL CUBANS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNITED STATES IS ON THEIR SIDE IN THE SEARCH FOR ECONOMIC CHOICE AND PROSPERITY. /// END ACT /// THE UNITED STATES FIRST BEGAN A REVIEW OF CUBA POLICY OVER THREE YEARS AGO, BUT THE REFORM EFFORT WAS PUT ON HOLD, AND SANCTIONS WERE TIGHTENED (IN 1996) AFTER CUBA SHOT DOWN TWO PRIVATE PLANES OPERATED BY AN ANTI-CASTRO GROUP. ANALYSTS SAY POPE JOHN PAUL'S VISIT TO THE ISLAND A YEAR AGO HELPED RE-OPEN THE DOOR TO AN EASING OF U-S POLICY. /// REST OPT /// CUBAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS HAVE WELCOMED THE LATEST MEASURES, SAYING THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH U-S POLICY. THE CUBAN AMERICAN NATIONAL FOUNDATION PRAISED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR REJECTING THE IDEA OF A FUNDAMENTAL REVIEW OF CUBA POLICY. SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE CALLED FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL COMMISSION TO REVIEW U-S POLICY TOWARD CUBA. THEY SAY THE LATEST ACTIONS FALL SHORT OF WHAT A NATIONAL COMMISSION COULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. (SIGNED) NEB/KBK/LTD/WTW 05-Jan-99 2:07 PM EST (1907 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .