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
.