White House to Announce Easing of Cuba Restrictions

[Uzybone]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/world/americas/14cuba.html?hp


Mr. Obama is not lifting the longstanding trade embargo with Cuba. But according to a senior administration official, who spoke anonymously because the policy has not yet been formally announced, the president will use his executive authority to shift policy toward Cuba in three specific areas.

Under the new policy, Cuban Americans will now be allowed to travel freely to the island and send as much money as they want to their family members — so long as the money is not going to senior officials of the Cuban government or the Communist Party.

Second, the administration will take steps to open up communications to the island by allowing telecommunications companies to engage in licensing agreements that will support cell phones, satellite televisions and computers there.

Third, the president will reverse restrictions on gift packages imposed by his predecessor, former President George W. Bush, in 2004. The new rules will permit Cuban Americans to send clothing, personal hygiene items and fishing equipment to family members on the island — again, so long as the recipients are not government or Communist Party officials.

[Politicub]

1. Why just travel for Cuban Americans?

Why can't any American travel there? It makes no sense to me to give Cuban Americans special privileges.

[SpartanDem]

3. Talk to Congress

travel for all Americans can't be done by executive order.

[screembloodymurder]

4. That's blatently unconstitutional.

Now we have two classes of people in the US.

[Politicub]

5. Yes, and...

I have always wanted to travel to Cuba. I hope that travel restrictions are eased for everyone soon. It's so archaic.

[Uzybone]

8. Sure it is, challenge it in court.

[denem]

2. Fourth. Cuban Travel Restrictions: The budget expressly prohibited

the use of federal funds to enforce any restrictions.

[brentspeak]

6. Why is Obama too chicken to lift the trade embargo?

The election is over, isn't it? He won, right?

[genna]

7. I'm looking forward to seeing how far Congress goes in trying to keep all Americans out of Cuban

[Uzybone]

9. I think things are going the other way

Congress should bust down the door not that President Obama has cracked it open.

[Adelante]

10. There is already a bill in Congress since February of this year

To lift the restriction for all Americans.