Reply #18: Democratic Senator Max Baucus is in Cuba even as we post! [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Mon, Sep. 15, 2003

CUBA-U.S. RELATIONS
Visiting U.S. senator calls for an end to Cuba sanctions
BY ANITA SNOW
Associated Press

HAVANA - Sen. Max Baucus, the highest ranking American official to visit Cuba since a crackdown on dissidents, said Sunday that eliminating U.S. sanctions could help nurture democracy on the island.

Baucus, a Democrat from Montana, said as an American he valued freedom of religion and association and ''I would like to help the Cuban people obtain these same rights.'' Eliminating restrictions on American travel to and trade with Cuba could help do that, he said.

Underscoring that idea, Baucus and Republican Rep. Dennis Rehberg, also of Montana, signed a memorandum of understanding to sell the Cuban government up to $10 million of products from the state, such as cattle, wheat, barley and dried beans.

Earlier in the day, the lawmakers met for an hour with Oswaldo Payá, Cuba's best-known democracy activist. (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6773991.htm