Organizations Urge U.S. Congress to Reject Anti-Cuban Act
Washington, Dec 15. – Organizations in favor of flexibilizing the relationship between the United States and Cuba demanded the Congress of this country to reject a legal project presented by anti-Cuban representative Mario Diaz-Balart, to limit trips and remittances to the island.
Among those opposed to the idea is the Group of Cuban Studies, mainly comprised of the business people of the island settled in this country.
Tampa democrat Kathy Castro also called legislators of her party and the republicans in charge of analyzing the issue to eliminate the clause, included in June in the Treasury bill.
Others defended the position taken by President Barack Obama in 2009, to lift some restrictions on to trips to Cuba, as well as the sending of family remittances to the Caribbean nation.
The pro-Cuban stance takes place at a time when the expenses act, which includes those limitations, was temporarily suspended to prioritize the debate of other regulations termed as criticcal and that should be approved in the coming days.
The Diaz-Balart plan expects to re-establish the rule imposed by former President George Bush in 2008, of allowing only one family visit to Cuba every three years, a total amount of 1,200 USD per year as remittances, and restricting the concept of "family".
According to Mauricio Claver-Carone, director of the U.S.-Cuba Democracy Political Action Committee, the practical effect of the project would be to stop transfers to Havana to only one in 2012, since the bill deals with the budget of only one year.
The Diaz-Balart action is part of policies that are historically generated from the United States to hurt the Cuban people and government.(Prensa Latina)