By Rafael Lorente The
Sun-Sentinel. Web-posted: 11:23 p.m. Jan. 28, 2001
WASHINGTON -- Just months after Congress allowed the limited sale of food
and medicine to Cuba, the battle between those who want to loosen the
four-decade embargo and those who want to tighten it has resumed. And with both
sides counting loyal supporters of President Bush among their ranks, the new
president may be in a political bind.
Cuban-Americans, farmers, business leaders and many members of Congress
want Bush to alter the trade embargo. The problem is these groups have different
agendas and ideas about what American policy toward the island should be.
Last week, one Republican and three Democratic members of the U.S. Senate
introduced legislation that would make selling food and medicine and traveling
to the island easier. They likely have the support of many members of Congress,
farmers, business and religious leaders.
On the other side, though, are Cuban-Americans and other anti-Fidel
Castro forces who want the embargo tightened, possibly by enforcing the
Helms-Burton law, which permits lawsuits against foreign companies operating on
property confiscated from Americans in Cuba. They count Bush as an ally because
during the campaign he said he would oppose any easing of the embargo until
Castro moves toward democracy.
For now, though, the new president seems willing, almost hoping, not to
deal with Cuba policy at all. Asked about the possibility of enforcing the
provisions of the Helms-Burton law, a White House spokeswoman demurred, saying
that decision would not come up anytime soon because former President Bill
Clinton issued a six-month waiver before leaving office. She also wouldn't say
whether Bush would fight the legislation introduced in Congress this week.
"Why don't we wait and see what happens with the legislation,"
Mary Ellen Countryman said.
Cuba policy is not likely to fade as a contentious issue. Americans
continue streaming to the island on a variety of missions. Farmers are
especially interested after Congress last year authorized the sale of food to
Cuba. Even a delegation from the Florida citrus industry is talking about a trip
to check out potential competitors and look for investment possibilities.
So far, Cuban officials have said they will not buy American food under
last year's law because it prevents any public or private American financing and
makes it difficult for Americans to travel to the island legally.
That's what several senators took aim at last week. Their bill would
permit American financing of food and medicine sales and remove travel
restrictions imposed last year, giving presidents the latitude to ease or
tighten travel to the island.
"Dictators will always get something to eat and medicines to treat
their diseases," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and one of the bill's
sponsors. "Our policy punishes the sick, hungry and poor people. It ought
to stop."
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, and a staunch anti-Castro voice, said
he is confident Bush will keep his campaign commitment to stand firm on the
embargo. Diaz-Balart said he has spoken to Bush administration officials about
new policies that would assist Castro's opponents on the island.
"We will keep the embargo, but we will also do things to help the
Cuban people," he said.
The fight is a continuation from 2000 when liberals and farm-state
members of Congress from both parties fought Cuban-American legislators and
their allies over a variety of bills that would have eased the embargo. But
while anti-embargo forces seemed to have the majority on their side, pro-embargo
forces had the Republican leadership with them. That's why the final bill that
passed included financing and travel restrictions.
Analysts say Bush's campaign promise means little is likely to happen
this year. Instead of an end to the embargo, they say some of last year's travel
and financing restrictions may be eased, while the Bush administration heightens
enforcement against Americans travelling illegally to the island.
"There's really not much chance, I don't think, of doing much beyond
food and medicine at this point, because even if you passed it, Bush would veto
it," said William LeoGrande, a professor and Cuba watcher at American
University in Washington.
There also may not be as much pressure on Congress. With no one up for
election this year, farm-state representatives interested in selling to Cuba
won't have as much motivation to bring something home to constituents.
But not everybody agrees.
Albert Fox, president of the Alliance for a Responsible Cuba Policy, a
group that wants the embargo ended, predicted major changes this year. Fox
thinks lifting the travel ban altogether and allowing American financing for
food and medicine sales are possible this year.
"I don't think that's tinkering at the edges," he said.
But the key moment is likely to come in July when Bush decides whether to
issue another waiver on the Helms-Burton provisions punishing foreign companies.
If the provisions are enforced, the United States could face a backlash
from Europe and Canada.
Diaz-Balart would not say whether he would lobby the new president to
enforce the provisions, but made it clear he opposes the waivers issued by
Clinton.
"That'll be a real test, to see what (Bush) does with that,"
LeoGrande said. "That's one that's going to have a large cost with our
European allies."
Rafael Lorente can be reached at rlorente@sun-sentinel.com or
202-824-8225 in Washington.
Copyright 2000, Sun-Sentinel Co. & South Florida
Interactive, Inc. | 