http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1421000/1421368.stm
The United States Government has denied an American artist permission to go to Cuba to complete his work on a giant sculpture of the most famous Cuban poet and statesman, Jose Marti.
The US Department of Trade says the visit by the artist, Stan Herd, would be violating the American 40-year old trade embargo on Cuba since it would benefit the communist government of President Fidel Castro.
Correspondents say the US decision marks a change with the previous administration's policy of allowing cultural exchanges between the two countries and reflects President's George Bush's harder line in respect of the communist island.
>From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
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