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US Calls on Cuba to Honor
Migration Accord
VOA
News, 22 Jul 2004.
The top U.S. diplomat in Cuba has asked
the island's government to grant exit visas
to 1,350 people, mainly medical personnel.
James Cason, head of the U.S. Interests
Section in Havana, accused the Communist
government Wednesday of denying visas to
Cuban nationals who already have U.S. travel
documents.
He says Havana's tight restrictions on
travel abroad force thousands of Cubans
to flee the island on rafts or hire smugglers
to get them out.
Cuban President Fidel Castro has criticized
U.S. policy on Cuba, saying it encourages
illegal immigration.
The U.S. diplomat also says Washington
has issued permanent visas to 20,000 Cubans
this year, as part of an agreement between
the two nations.
He urged Cuban officials to respect the
deal, which also allows U.S. diplomats to
monitor human rights conditions on the island.
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