By George Gedda, Associated Press Writer. Tue Apr 30, 2:59
PM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department denied a U.S. visa to the head of
Cuba's food import agency in March because he lobbied against American policy
during his last visit, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday.
The visa denial drew criticism from Sen. Byron Dorgan (news, bio, voting
record), D-N.D., who suggested that the action eliminated an opportunity for
farmers from his state and others to increase food exports.
"I'm a little miffed about this," Dorgan told Powell during a
Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. He said the action caused angst among
farmers who face collapsing prices for their harvests.
Powell said Pedro Alvarez, who heads the Alimport agency, acted in violation
of the terms of his U.S. visa when he spent part of his time during his last
visit drumming up opposition to U.S. policies.
In any case, Powell said, the presence of Alvarez is not necessary for food
sales to Cuba to take place.
While the U.S. embargo against Cuba remains intact, Congress decided in 2000
to allow food sales to Cuba on a cash basis.
Dorgan said a State Department official told a member of his staff that that
the administration does not encourage food sales to Cuba.
Powell said that he had never heard of such a policy, adding that he was
pleased that the sales have taken place. He said he believes additional sales
should be encouraged so long as American farmers benefit and the sales are
consistent with U.S. law.
Dorgan said Cuban purchases have totaled about $70 million since they began
last fall.
Alvarez and two other officials from Alimport had been scheduled to come to
the United States in March. At the time, the American Farm Bureau Federation
said the proposed visit was related to an ongoing sale of poultry to Cuba.
The Cuban officials wanted to inspect U.S. poultry plants and discuss
sanitary issues, the farm bureau said, adding that U.S. officials routinely
travel abroad for those purposes in connection with American food imports.
The farm bureau said the cancellation of Alvarez's visa will adversely
affect U.S. sales of corn, rice, wheat, poultry, soybeans, apples, dried peas,
lentils and eggs, valued at $35 million. |