[lbo-talk] "Critical Support" (Re: Fidel)

[Michael Pugliese]

   Blockade? You mean the blockade from the Cuban Missile Crisis is
still in effect?
   http://cubajournal.blogspot.com/search/label/Cuba%20Embargo
   >...Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson: Ease Cuba trade restrictions
SE Missourian

Tuesday, December 19, 2006
By TJ Greaney ~ Southeast Missourian

Economic conditions, Castro's health were topics of discussion for
visiting U.S. lawmakers.

American companies are missing out in Cuba, according to U.S. Rep. Jo
Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, just returned from her fourth visit to
the island. She thinks the United States could benefit greatly by
further opening up trade barriers.

Cuba, she said, will import $543 million worth of American goods next
year. But that figure could be "5 or 10 times higher" if the United
States would ease restrictions, she said.

"It could go much higher because it is right here, and it only takes
three days max to transport goods there." not trading with Cuba "just
seems ridiculous," she said.

Emerson was part of a 10-person bipartisan delegation, the largest
congressional group to visit the isle since the 1950s. They returned
from the three-day trip Sunday night.

Emerson and the others did not meet with acting president Raul Castro
(brother of longtime ruler Fidel) but did meet with the nation's
foreign minister and parliament speaker.

Trade, she said, is still too restricted, and Missouri farmers are
missing the boat.

"We have more in common with that country than a lot of others where
we do business," said Emerson.

In 2001 an act of Congress opened Cuba to trade from the United States
for the first time since President Kennedy expanded the embargo in
1962. During the three years following the opening, Cuba rose to
become the 25th largest agricultural export market for the United
States.

The success, though, was short-lived. In 2004, the Bush
administration, working through the Treasury Department, made trade
with Cuba more difficult by requiring advance payment for exports and
routing payment through third countries.

The change requires Cuba to go through two currency exchanges just to
pay for its goods. Consequently, fresh fruit exports dropped by 79
percent, soybean meal by 68 percent, rice by 43 percent and dairy
products by 43 percent in the year that followed.

As of Nov. 1, Cuba had fallen to be the 31st largest agricultural
export market for U.S. goods.

Emerson said the restrictions have impacts on the U.S. economy ranging
far and wide.

"They have 52 blocks in the Gulf of Mexico where they have deep water
options on oil. And our American companies are unable -- and very
upset -- that they're not allowed to bid on these blocks of oil. So
because of our crazy policy, American companies are prevented from
doing any business," she said.