U.S. bars trade group from going to Cuba

[Say_What]

So much for *freedom* in the USSA...

<clips>

The United States rejected the World Trade Center Palm Beach's application for permission to travel to Cuba for humanitarian purposes and an exchange of information.

BY MARTHA BRANNIGAN
[e-mail]

The U.S. Treasury Department shot down the World Trade Center Palm Beach's plan for a humanitarian, educational and information-exchange trip to Cuba in June.

The WTC Palm Beach, a not-for-profit trade group affiliated with 278 similar organizations around the globe, unveiled plans to take about 30 South Florida professionals to the island last month .

The Palm Beach group said it wanted to discuss ideas and technology related to food, water and medicine with nongovernment agencies and private citizens in Cuba. It said the delegation didn't intend to conduct business or to meet with Cuban government officials.

The group was coordinating the mission with its counterpart, the World Trade Center Havana.

In December, Louis Haddad, president of WTC Palm Beach, unveiled the Cuba trip as an opportunity ''to reestablish former ties and assist the island to develop its economy, while at the same time familiarize the right people in that country about the positive aspects of trade and industry in our area.'' He said the mission could yield ''future benefits'' for the area, ``especially after a regime change in Cuba.''

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/16538843.htm

[RagingInMiami]

1. They should go anyway

Through the Bahamas. Make a big stink about it. Call a press conference. Tell the world they're going to Cuba in protest against US Government's policies.

[Vidar]

3. Good idea.

[flordehinojos]

2. well, the little trio from miami: ros-lehtinen, l. diaz-balart & m. diaz-balart are probably having ...

glory alleluia party of their own on account of that.

[MrPrax]

4. Then Stay Home...

"...delegation didn't intend to conduct business or to meet with Cuban government officials...

Then it is unlikely, this group will do anything of benefit for the Cuban people if they are boycotting their government --

If they want to take a stand...In for a penny, in for a pound

Like a poster said, if they want to go, they can gain access through MOST civilized countries and then it would relieve this group of HAVING to ignore government officials --

Ironically, if they did THAT, then they would be FREE to talk to anyone they want; including government officials that MIGHT have some of the information they want to exchange.

They could do more staying at home and lobbying their OWN government for an end to the Cuban blockade (or even discussing "food, water and medicine" with fellow Americans -- they can start in NOLA and work their way up).

Cuba don't need help from a 'US trade group'

[nealmhughes]

5. Miami to Mexico City to Havana. or to Montreal then Havana. or thru anywhere else just as easily

Montreal ought to be pretty cheap right now: lots of Canadian snowbirds sunning it up this time of the year.
Merida and Mexico have nonstops every day...

[Mika]

6. It is still illegal for Americans and residents to just up and go to Cuba.

We need an OFAC permit to travel to Cuba.

Yes, an American/resident can go there via the methodology you suggest but it is still illegal.

One can get a letter from the justice dept, several months after returning to the US, that informs one of a large five figure fine due to OFAC or a court charge and trial for violating travel policy.