U.S. clamping down on Americans' visits to Havana

[Osolomia]

By Tom Carter
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
January 25, 2004

The Bush administration is making it very hard for American tourists to lie on the white sand beaches of Cuba's Varadero or enjoy a daiquiri at Old Havana's El Floridita without facing a stiff fine when they get home.

... "The Bush administration is using all the resources of the Homeland Security Department to aggressively enforce the existing regulations," said John Kavulich of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, a nonpartisan group that monitors trade with Cuba.

... There have been strong efforts in Congress to repeal the travel ban, with the House voting 227-188 and the Senate 59-36 in October. But that was stripped out of the final version of the bill before it was sent to Mr. Bush.

... According to Mr. Kavulich, 156,000 Americans visit Cuba each year, almost 90 percent of them Cuban-Americans making authorized visits home. A small number of journalists, academics, businessmen and humanitarian and religious groups also make "licensed" visits.

However, 22,000 to 25,000 Americans travel to Cuba illegally, either as political activists or simply as tourists looking for a cheap Caribbean vacation. Most travel to Cuba through a third country, often on vacation packages from Canada or Mexico.

If U.S. citizens visit Cuba and fail to put it on the post-trip declaration form, they can be charged with perjury and their name entered into the Homeland Security Department database. If they admit to traveling to Cuba, they are subject to a fine of as much as $10,000.

More...
http://www.washtimes.com/world/20040125-123059-1221r.htm

Just the way Dems like it evidently.

[Osolomia]

1. Robert Redford is in Cuba this weekend to screen The Motorcycle Diaries

for Guevera's widow.

snip/...

It recounts Guevera's 7,000 km motorcycle trip through South America in the '50s.

"It took three years. I had read it many years ago and thought it was a great story. But it was a hard road. You have to go through a lot of hoops."

Including taking the film to Cuba so it can be screened by Guevera's widow. Redford was doing just that this weekend.

Asked if Fidel Castro might attend, Redford laughs, "I imagine he'll crash the party."

http://www.canoe.ca/JamMovies/jan25_sundance-sun.html

When Robert Redford went to Cuba in 1988, he was interrogated by U.S. Treasury Dept. agents upon his return. After all, he was said to have gone scuba-diving with Fidel Castro.

Now the actor is set to fly to Havana on Friday, after his Sundance Film Festival ends, to show his new movie, "The Motorcycle Diaries," to Che Guevara's widow, Aleida March.

... The pic got a standing ovation Saturday at a fest screening in Park City, Utah.

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/156547p-137502c.html

[Judi Lynn]

2. While the info. about getting rough on ordinary American travellers

coming and going to & from Cuba seems on target, it's easy to note that the source, Washington Times, glossed over the fact that actually _Bush INCREASED the amount of cash Cuban "exiles" can take with them to give to relatives in Cuba, and also arranged the circle of people they can officially "visit" in Cuba to extend to their second cousins, removing the appearance of their official reason to go to Cuba, "family emergencies," etc.

(It's good for Americans to be aware that Cuban Americans have been going to Cuba for simple vacations, as did the great uncle of Elián Gonzales, Lázaro Gonzalez, when he met the child for the first time, and slept in his father's bed, while the father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez slept outside in his car. (Nice way to repay a host, wasn't it?))

From the article:

The Trading with the Enemy Act, which makes it illegal for U.S. visitors to spend money when traveling to Cuba, rarely was enforced before Florida's Cuban-American voters played a key role in President Bush's razor-thin 2000 victory.

In a Rose Garden speech before Cuban-Americans on Oct. 10, Mr. Bush announced plans to step up enforcement of the law. In the next 20 days, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control sent out 159 "new notices" to Americans suspected of violating the law.

White House Latin American envoy Otto Reich <> told a group of businessmen and academics in Washington this month that "surveillance and enforcement have increased 100 percent."



Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for border and transportation security in the Department of Homeland Security, said in December that his department had examined 54,000 passengers traveling to Cuba to ensure that they were properly authorized in the two months after Mr. Bush's remarks.

He said 171 persons had been denied permission to travel and 44 persons returning to the United States after visiting Cuba face civil prosecution. (snip)

[spotbird]

3. We let God knows what in through the ports,

there are no funds for the cities to be prepared for attacks. But tourism to Cuba is a priority.

There is nothing sane about this administration

[Osolomia]

4. Dems have no one to blame but themselves

Bush is merely enforcing laws passed by Clinton's America and that Dems evidently support to this day:

Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba

Of the current democratic hopefuls, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is the only one who supports an end to the embargo.

More...
http://www.lawg.org/Misc/prez-candidates1.htm

[Judi Lynn]

6. It's fairly complex, and over 45 years old.

Remember this struggle for domination of Cuba goes all the way back to the 1800's, and specifically back to Eisenhower.

It's good to remember, or find out about the HUGE Cuban vote bloc in Miami/Dade/South Florida/New Jersey, and what they did for _Bush in the Presidential election, and _{Jeb Bush} over the years. _Bush's father is connected to them from the days of the Bay of Pigs, up until he pardoned mass murderer/bomber Orlando Bosch during his term, after the man designed and organized the bombing of a Cubana air liner with 73 people on board, including children, students from Guyana, and the entire Cuban Olympic fencing team. (This after a couple of decades of terroristic acts against Cuba and Cuban citizens)
(Orlando Bosch has been denied entry by over 30 countries for his notorious terrorism, and because of the elder _Bush's pardon, has been living freely in Miami, where the Cuban "exile"-dominated city commission named a DAY in his honor.)

I was participating in the CNN US/Cuba Relations message board right after the Presidential elections, and the "exiles" who graced us with their presence started taking credit IMMEDIATELY after December 12th for the Republican victory. Couldn't shut 'em up.

Also, remember the MANY trips to Miami to make preposterous Cuban speeches _Bush has made since he stole the election.

Dangling the carrot in front of their eyes (Right-wing extremist dominant segment of the Cuban-Americans) of the possibility he just might INVADE Cuba for a little regime change energizes that vote/contribution base.

[Osolomia]

8. The MAJORITY of Cuban-Americans want the embargo lifted now

it's just the extremist right wing minority of Miami mafia with well known links to terrorism that all the presidential candidates covet their votes over everyone else's and like to call that "democracy".

If there's any evidence of 2004 democratic presidential opposition to the Bush Doctrine on Cuba then pray do tell.

Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996
To seek international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, to plan for support of a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba, and for other purposes.
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/libertad.htm

Profile of the USAID Cuba Program
http://www.usaid.gov/regions/lac/cu/program_report/profile.html

22 January 2004
U.S. Condemns Cuba's Imprisonment of Human Rights Advocates
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=January&x=20040122111702ASrelliM0.6539118&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

January 16, 2004
U.S. Official Urges Careful Planning for Democratic Transition in Cuba
Ambassador Roger F. Noriega, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Remarks at a USAID/Cuba Transition Project Seminar
http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/rm/28281.htm

16 January 2004
U.S. Official Examines Relief Strategies at Cuba Transition Conference
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=January&x=20040116155739nesnom0.3684809&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

16 December 2003
State Department on Repression in Cuba
"The Dream Deferred: Fear and Freedom in Fidel's Cuba"
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=December&x=20031216161921relliMS0.5044062&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

December 8, 2003
Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031208-8.html

October 15, 2003
Enforcement of U.S. Travel Restrictions to Cuba to be Enhanced
http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2003/Oct/15-270865.html

October 10, 2003
President Bush Discusses Cuba Policy in Rose Garden Speech
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031010-2.html

26 September 2003
President Bush Fully Committed to Democratic Transition in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=September&x=20030926124736relliMS0.2089655&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

08 May 2003
U.S. Pledges Increased Support for "Voices of Freedom" in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/03050806.htm

16 April 2003
U.S. to Continue Working Toward Peaceful Change in Cuba, Says Official
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/03041604.htm

17 September 2002
State Department Official Explains U.S. Position on Cuba
Says Cuba is attempting to impede U.S. war on terrorism
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02091808.htm

24 July 2002
Bush Administration Reiterates that U.S. Policy on Cuba Remains Unchanged
Voices opposition to House vote to lift restrictions on trade, travel
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02072500.htm

11 July 2002
Bush Administration Opposes Legislative Efforts to Amend Cuba Policy
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02071606.htm

05 June 2002
State Dept. Reaffirms Cuba Has Biological Warfare Research Effort
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/02060502.htm

21 May 2002
Cuba Continues to Sponsor Terrorism, Says State Department Report
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02052118.htm

21 May 2002
Reich Testifies on New Initiative for Cuba Says initiative is designed to generate peaceful change in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02052114.htm

May 20, 2002
President Bush Announces Initiative for a New Cuba
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020520-2.html

13 May 2002
Powell Says Cuba Has Bio Weapons Research Capacity
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/02051405.htm

06 May 2002
Bolton: Libya, Syria, Cuba Need Scrutiny for Weapons Programs
Under Secretary addresses WMD threats at Heritage Foundation

07 April 2002
"The United States and Cuba," by Secretary of State Colin Powell .
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02040809.htm

[Judi Lynn]

10. You'd have to say they are damned obsessed with Cuba, wouldn't you?

They've been working constantly on their Cuba dreams in the State Department, Western Hemisphere, along with their designs on Venezuela.

How sick would you have to be to appoint the grandson of the murderous, bloody, corrupt U.S./Mafia-supported dictator of Cuba, Fulgencio Batista to the Florida Supreme Court, as did _{Jeb Bush?}

From:
Published on Monday, December 2, 2002 by the Guardian/UK
The Bush Dynasty and the Cuban Criminals
New book reveals links of two presidents and the governor of Florida with exiled hardliners

by Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles

(snip) In July this year, Jeb Bush nominated Raoul Cantero, the grandson of Batista, as a Florida supreme court judge despite his lack of experience. Mr Cantero had previously represented Bosch and acted as his spokesman, once describing Bosch on Miami radio as a "great Cuban patriot".

Other Cuban exiles involved in terrorist acts, Jose Dionisio Suarez and Virgilio Paz Romero, who carried out the 1976 assassination of the Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier in Washington, have also been released by the current Bush administration.

The current administration also maintains a hard line on the continuing Cuban embargo despite the urgings of many in Mr Bush's own party to end it. The president's adviser, Karl Rove, "has urged him to fully accommodate hardliners in return for electoral victories for both his brother and himself", Bardach's book says.

For their help, many hardline Cuban-Americans have received plum jobs in the current administration: Mel Martinez, the Orlando Republican who arranged for the shipwrecked Cuban boy, Elian Gonzalez, to visit Disney World, was made housing secretary, while Otto Reich was awarded a one year recess appointment for the western hemisphere in the state department.
(snip/...)

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1202-05.htm

[llmart]

5. A friend's son

went to Cuba about 6 months ago. Apparently if you go to Mexico first and travel to Cuba from there, it's easier. I don't know the excact details. However, he thought it was a very interesting, exciting place and said, "It's not anything like our government portrays it." He's in his 20's and I'm glad to see that young people are learning that other cultures have much to offer and much we can learn from. He was impressed with their unmaterialistic way of life.

[Osolomia]

7. Bush has specifically cracked down on such travel hence the article

and there's no time limit on these things, Homeland Security could be knocking on your friend's son's door any day.

snip/...
Homeland Security officers assigned to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will assist in this effort by ensuring that travelers from the U.S to Cuba, who pass through Canada, Mexico, and other countries en route, are not violating the Cuban embargo. DHS will use intelligence and investigative resources to identify travelers or businesses engaged in activities that circumvent the embargo.

October 15, 2003
Enforcement of U.S. Travel Restrictions to Cuba to be Enhanced
http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2003/Oct/15-270865.html

Pity Congress didn't get the veto proof majority needed to lift the travel ban when they voted on it a couple of months ago especially after pleading for public comment all year.

[Judi Lynn]

9. I read just in the last two weeks

that _Bush has arranged it for Mexican transit points like airports, cruise ships, to make all passenger lists available to our Homeland Security for investigation of potential Cuba travel ban law breakers.

This seems stranger and stranger in light that both the House and Senate are increasing numbers of votes favoring removal of the travel ban and the embargo, on both sides of the aisle. Getting damned close to a veto-proof majority, too.

He's one man desperately out of step with his country, which favors opening relations with Cuba.

[Osolomia]

11. Bush is not alone, all the leading Dem prez candidates are out of step too

and therein lies the problem.

Bush’s pandering to Miami’s right wing is understandable, but all the leading 2004 Democratic presidential candidates defying the will of the majority is inexplicable.

If a Dem prez wins in November will he do an about face on the embargo or continue to pander to the extremist right wing minority? Inquiring minds want to know what they're voting for!

[Judi Lynn]

12. Good question

If you're absolutely forced to look for any excuse for Bill Clinton, it's possible to say he was in an uncomfortable position due to his own wife's sister-in-law being a Cuban-American. Still, that's a stretch.

As to the current crop, it's still good to point back to something I saw recently, which said that the most extreme Cuban "exiles" actually don't hold out much hope for the embargo and travel ban past the time _Bush will be in office. Can't remember where it was, but I posted it here. It DID surprise me, actually, to read it in black and white that they actually KNOW the end is near.

It would be appropriate to communicate enough with our Representatives and Senators to inform them the American public would strictly resent ANY military action against Cuba.

It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering if _Bush is going to be beast enough to try a SECOND Bay of Pigs invasion before he leaves, just for the hell of it, an ego thing. I think he's definitely stupid and nasty enough to do it both to American service people and to the Cubans living there.

[Osolomia]

13. Did the US send in the military for the Venezuelan coup?

Provoking a riot here a few gunshots there and a rafter exodus would be enough to declare a national security threat in the minds of gullible Americans no doubt.

It's not what Bush would do but what a Dem president will do that I want to know. Dems ought to know where the majority stand on this issue by now and why:

Editorials on U.S.-Cuba Policy 2001-2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/editorials.htm

Poll of Cuban-Americans v. non-Cuban-Americans (in Dade County) on various policies:
http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/ipor/cuba2000/3samples.htm

A recent Miami Herald poll on Cuba:
http://www.miami.com/multimedia/miami/news/archive/cubanpoll.pdf

Various polls concerning ending the embargo and establishing diplomatic ties: http://www.pollingreport.com/cuba.htm