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The Miami
Herald, March 25, 2003.
Rules changed on Cuba trips
Some stiffer, others relaxed
By Nancy San Martin. nsanmartin@herald.com. Posted on Tue,
Mar. 25, 2003
The Bush administration released new rules Monday that will allow more Cuban
Americans to visit relatives on the island, restrict the kinds of groups that
can participate in exchanges and increase the flow of money to Cuba, including
funds meant to reach government opponents.
''Overall, these changes are expansive, these are not constrictive,'' said
John Kavulich, president of U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, a New
York-based group that tracks the island's economy.
Among the most dramatic changes in licensing rules:
· Travel permits no longer will be granted to organizations that take
individuals to Cuba to participate in ''educational'' exchanges that are not
related to academic course work. The change will require more scrutiny of
license applications.
UP TO $3,000
· Travelers with relatives in Cuba can now carry as much as $3,000 in
household remittances, up from $300, each quarter.
The increased amount is intended to help up to 10 households per traveler.
However, the households of senior-level Cuban government officials or
senior-level Cuban Community Party officials will not be eligible to receive
quarterly remittances from any remitters.
- Licenses will now also be issued to independent organizations designed "to
promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy.''
- The so-called humanitarian activities will be expanded to include
construction projects intended ''to benefit legitimately independent civil
society groups'' as well as promote educational training in such fields as civic
education, journalism, advocacy and organizing.
CUBAN CRACKDOWN
The revisions were released at the heels of a Cuban government crackdown on
opponents with the arrests of at least 75 people whom Fidel Castro has accused
of conspiring with American diplomats in Havana to dismantle the socialist
system.
Cuban government critics applauded the economic outreach to dissidents on
the island.
''This means more ability for funding for dissidents or independent
actors,'' said Dennis K. Hays, executive vice president of the Cuban American
National Foundation, an exile lobbying group that supports the U.S. embargo on
Cuba.
"The timing is welcome. Clearly, what the Castro regime hopes is to
stop this kind of activity.''
BUSH INITIATIVE
The new rules were in response to President Bush's ''Initiative for a New
Cuba'' announced last May, according to the Treasury Department's Office of
Foreign Assets Control, which issues the travel licenses.
The president's initiative is intended "to encourage freedom within
Cuba, make life better for the Cuban people and give the Cuban people greater
control of their economic and political destiny.''
The revisions took effect Monday but written comments on the changes will be
accepted through May 23, meaning that the provisions could be altered.
Despite an easing of arrests, Cuban dissidents still fearful
By Larissa Ruiz Campo. Lruiz@herald.com. Posted on Tue,
Mar. 25, 2003
Even as Cuban authorities seemed to ease up on a crackdown of government
opponents, dissidents on the island expressed fear Monday that the level of
repression will continue to intensify.
''There were no arrests over the weekend, but we have to be prepared for
more waves of repression,'' said human-rights activist Elizardo Sánchez,
who was reached by phone.
"Until this moment, all of the detainees are in police custody and out
of communication.''
Sánchez also expressed concern about the fate of high-profile
dissidents who also remained in prison Monday, including longtime critic Martha
Beatriz Roque, prominent independent journalist Raúl Rivero and Héctor
Palacios, a leader of the Democratic Solidarity Party.
Sánchez, of the Havana-based Cuban Commission for Human Rights and
National Reconciliation, confirmed a total of 75 arrests.
It was not clear if five other dissidents, who also were picked up by
police, were taken to jail or allowed to return home.
The Cuban government has said that those in custody were being held for
''provocations'' and "subversive activities.''
Even as government opponents and their families remained emotionally
distraught by the arrests, they also said they were pleased at support received
from others in Cuba not affiliated with the dissident movement.
''Despite the fact that this has been the most intense and threatening
crackdown in recent years, nondissidents have approached the families of
dissidents offering their help to keep things in their houses or warning them
when they were under surveillance,'' Sánchez said.
"This is an awakening of the Cuban people.''
Also on Monday, Cuba's Roman Catholic Church condemned the government's
crackdown and urged Cuban authorities to accept differing political opinions.
''We lament the inappropriate methods being used to arrest people for
thinking and acting differently from the official ideology,'' said a statement
from the Conference of Cuban Catholic Bishops.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., filed a resolution
condemning the arrests and urging the Bush administration "to take all
appropriate steps to secure their immediate release.''
Herald staff writer Nancy San Martin contributed to this report, which
was supplemented with material from The Associated Press. | 
