Business urges Obama to loosen Cuba embargo

[Judi Lynn]

Business urges Obama to loosen Cuba embargo
By Doug Palmer Doug Palmer – 1 hr 26 mins ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Barack Obama should start soon to loosen five decades of trade curbs on Cuba and begin a comprehensive review of U.S. policy toward the communist-run island, U.S. business groups said on Thursday.

"We support the complete removal of all trade and travel restrictions on Cuba. We recognize that change may not come all at once, but it must start somewhere, and it must begin soon," the groups said in a letter to Obama.

They recommended the United States start by holding talks with Cuba to discuss how to repair nearly 50 years of distrust and by allowing Americans to visit the island.

Washington should also consider exempting agricultural machinery, heavy equipment and certain other goods from its embargo to help in the rebuilding of Cuba in the wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the groups said.

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"We are pleased that you support suspending restrictions on family remittances, visits and humanitarian care packages from Cuban Americans. These are excellent first steps, but we urge you to also commit to a more comprehensive examination of U.S. policy," the groups said.

More:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081204/pl_nm/us_usa_cuba_trade