05 January 1999
(Albright discusses recommendations for change) (660) By Jane A. Morse USIA Diplomatic Correspondent WASHINGTON -- New initiatives to reach out to the Cuban people are part of the U.S. effort to make the lives of ordinary Cuban citizens more "tolerable" and to "encourage the development in Cuba of peaceful, civic activities that are independent of the government," says Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. At a press briefing at the State Department, Albright elaborated on President Bill Clinton's plan, which was announced January 5, to increase contacts with all Cubans not directly supporting the Castro regime. "We will seek to expose additional elements of Cuban society to democratic practices and values by encouraging additional religious, scientific, educational, athletic and other exchanges between our two peoples," Albright said. But she emphasized that U.S. government relations with the Cuban government will not change; the U.S. embargo on Cuba, imposed because of the Castro regime's human rights violations, will remain in place. Specifically, the Clinton Administration will: -- Streamline visa and licensing procedures for travel between Cuba and the United States by qualified persons other than senior Cuban government officials. The most immediate step will be licensing the Baltimore Orioles baseball team's management to explore the possibility of playing exhibition games -- but only if the profits from the game would benefit Cuban charitable organizations. -- Expand direct licensed passenger flights to Cuba by authorizing flights from cities other than Miami and to destinations in Cuba other than Havana. The goal is to facilitate family reunification and to promote people-to-people exchanges through licensed travel. -- Broaden the categories of eligible recipients in Cuba for the receipt of financial remittances from the United States. Under this policy, all U.S. residents will be authorized to send up to $300 each quarter to any Cuban family, except for senior government and party leaders. U.S. citizens and non-governmental organizations will be licensed, on a case-by-case basis, to send larger remittances to entities in Cuba that are independent of the Cuban government. -- Authorize the sale of food and agricultural inputs to private farmers and entities independent of the Cuban government, such as religious groups and private restaurants. -- Restore direct mail service. Direct mail between the United States and Cuba, suspended in 1962, is authorized by the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992. Currently mail is sent to and from Cuba via third countries, causing significant delays and sometimes losses. The U.S. government will contact the Cuban government to work out the details of establishing direct mail service. -- Intensify public diplomacy efforts through the expanded use of Radio Marti and TV Marti and through greater efforts to inform Latin America and the European Union countries on the realities of life in Cuba today. The Clinton Administration's initiatives in no way violate Helms-Burton and other U.S. laws regarding Cuba, according to James Dobbins, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Inter-American Affairs. In answer to reporters' questions, Dobbins noted that the Helms-Burton law codified the embargo as well as the President's licensing power. "Exceptions could be granted," Dobbins said, "on a case-by-case basis, by the president, in cases in which it was deemed to be consistent with U.S. policy. Albright credited the March 1995 visit to Cuba by Pope John Paul II as an "inspired pilgrimage" which encouraged additional efforts by the United States to reach out to the Cuban people. But she added that "it is the responsibility of the United States, our partners in the hemisphere, and the world at large to maintain pressure for democratic change." The United States and the people of Cuba must act "with tomorrow in mind," Albright said. "Fully aware of present obstacles, we share a faith in the power of liberty to inspire peaceful but far-reaching change."