Americans visit as Cuba hopes to renew U.S. interest in trade

HAVANA -- (AP) -- About 100 young American entrepreneurs and their families, about 500 people in all, were traveling Thursday to Cuba, where officials hope a new flood of U.S. visitors will revive interest in lifting trade sanctions against this nation.

Representatives of the Young Presidents Organization, their spouses and their children are among nearly 2,000 Americans traveling to the communist nation in January under licenses from the U.S. Treasury Department.

Also among the American visitors to Cuba this month are Republican U.S. senators -- Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island -- who arrived in Cuba on Wednesday.

Seven U.S. Representatives were arriving here later Thursday with Sally Grooms Cowal, a former U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and president of the Cuba Policy Foundation, one of the best-known anti-embargo groups in the United States.

A host of other representatives of American business and agriculture were expected here later in January.

The visits demonstrate reactivated U.S. interest in Cuba after attention was diverted away from the island following the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States, said Kirby Jones, a Cuba trade consultant.

``I think people are becoming energized about Cuba again because of the sales,'' Jones said, referring to deliveries in December of the first American food directly sold to the communist country in nearly four decades.

``Now Cuba has done some real business,'' said Kirby, president of Alamar Associates of Washington, a Cuba trade consulting firm.

Kirby noted the visits also come amid renewed efforts in Congress to ease the 40-year-old trade embargo against Cuba and to eliminate U.S. restrictions on American travel to the nation. ``The whole debate is really picking up again,'' he said.

Kirby helped organize the Cuba part of a Latin America trip by the Young Presidents Organization, a Dallas, Texas-based professional group of corporate presidents under 50-years-old.

Before its daylong visit to Cuba on Thursday, the group traveled to Panama and Costa Rica, as well as Grand Cayman Island, said David Martin, chairman of the International Board of the group and CEO of a San Francisco real estate investment firm.

Martin said the visit was educational and humanitarian, featuring a donation of medicine and medical supplies by the group in conjunction with nonprofit Disarm Education Fund of New York. While the group was made up largely of Americans, Martin said some participants were from other countries.

A selection of group members met privately with National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon, and later were to tour renovation projects in Old Havana.

Ex-ambassadors debate Cuba policy, agree to disagree---Elian's "hostess" in D.C., Sally Grooms Cowal, (past president and CEO of Youth for Understanding) until he was shipped back to Castro, is calling in her chips.

Cowal's group received its initial funding from the ARCA FOUNDATION, a wealthy organization devoted to more contact and fewer trade restrictions with Cuba. Its chairman is SMITH BAGLEY, a grandson of tobacco magnate R.J. Reynolds and a major Democratic donor. ******(Remember the two DNC fundraisers with Elian as their trophy?)*******

( UNDER THE GUISE OF RELIGION, NCC, UMC, PASTORS FOR PEACE)-- Another one of the most militant, fanatic and violent "religious" and "humanitarian" organizations part of this network in the U.S. appearing to be working for Castro's tyranny are the "interreligious" group Pastors for Peace. These "pastors" as well as the NCC have received grants from the ARCA FOUNDATION, which according to scholar Irving Louis Horowitz, is a "highly pro-Castro and partisan," grant-giving agency. From 1994 to1998, ARCA awarded about $3 million for pro-Castro projects.

(December 14, 2001)-- U.S. ships carrying food prepare for trip to Cuba Under last year's law, Cuba can buy food and medicine as long as it pays cash without public or private U.S. financing. But the administration remains adamant that it will not ease the embargo unless Cuba holds free elections, releases political prisoners and takes other steps toward democracy. Earlier this month, the administration sent Lino Gutierrez, acting assistant secretary of state, to Miami to reassure Cuban exiles -- whose votes Bush will need in 2004 -- that his hard line toward the island has not changed.

The Cuban government said the financing restrictions are insulting and until they are lifted, there will be no more food purchases.

Don't subsidize a tyrant --Miami Herald--(Excerpt) -- While the embargo restricts most U.S.-Cuba trade, it does not impose a humanitarian burden. Cuba frequently has bought wheat from Canada, rice from Vietnam, and medicine from Europe, Asia and Latin America. Donations of food and clothing and the licensed sale of U.S. medical products are permitted.

The real cause of Cuba's hardship is not the embargo but the state's Soviet-style economy. Traditional exports such as sugar cost the regime more to produce than they sell for on the global market. Tourism brings in hard currency but not nearly enough to provide for Cuba's needs. Debt payments are so uncertain that major trade partners often must extend new loans.--(End Excerpt)

Youth For Understanding--February 22, 2001 --To all of my friends and colleagues in the YFU World: Greetings. I want to tell you about my plans. I will be the President of the Cuba Policy Foundation, a newly established non-profit, non-partisan organization, which has been set up to promote normalization of US-Cuba relations. It is a challenge I believe our nation needs to address. I was approached by the backers of this Foundation who, given my previous service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and US Ambassador in the Caribbean, as well as my current involvement with Cuba, have persuaded me that I am in an absolutely unique position to successfully execute this task. After considerable personal agonizing, I decided to accept. I will, therefore, be stepping down as President of YFU, although I expect to remain actively involved as a member of the Board of Trustees, like all Trustees serving without compensation.

I am enormously proud of what we have accomplished together in the last 20 months. We have truly re-invented YFU and our strategic plan is based in reality, well-crafted and will ensure that we are successful in our most essential activities-recruitment, selection, education, travel, placement and counseling of the 5,000 students entrusted to our care. If we all stay the course, as Trustees, staff in Washington and around the country, and as volunteers our 2001 cycle, will be the proof positive that the new plan works. Already our partners and donors have responded with enthusiasm. Our senior staff, Vice Presidents Nikolaus Pelka and Paul Risteen, are wonderful, creative and energetic leaders, dedicated to this cause and possess all the necessary qualifications, and commitment to lead us forward. I know that I can count on your dedication to so doing.

In addition to serving as a Trustee, I also want to express my belief in this organization with a tangible personal gift. I am today setting up a YFU endowed fund, initially of $25,000, which will be increased as I am financially able. I intend for the proceeds of this fund to be used to give YFU scholarships to young people to promote US-Cuba relations. The first scholarships will support our summer program entitled 'Our Century, Our Hemisphere' which YFU USA is executing together with our partners in Latin America and Canada. I hope this fund will be an incentive for others to join us in this cause.

I am not saying sayonara, auf Wiedersehen, or even hasta luego because I expect to be in contact with each and every one of you. I thank you enormously for the support, guidance, and dedication that have characterized our relations. We are the best. Now, let's get out there and prove it! ---Sally Grooms Cowal, President

===========================================================================

February 22, 2001-- To the YFU Community Worldwide: I am writing to inform you that Sally Grooms Cowal has been asked to assume the Presidency of the Cuba Policy Foundation, a newly formed entity that will work to bring change and improvement to the relationship between Cuba and the United States, effective March 2, 2001.

In her twenty months with YFU, Sally has worked tirelessly to strengthen management, build faith and confidence in our ability to deliver programs, and guide YFU USA into a new International structure. Her broad insight and thoughtful leadership has set us on a path that has brought full financial control and diversity to our program offerings, enabling more students to experience exchange. Her presidency has enlivened our mission; her leadership has extended our vision.

As Sally is being called to serve a role in public policy and foreign relations, I am grateful for her willingness to be seated on the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee of the Board will meet in April to consider my request. Until that process can be completed, Sally and the Executive Committee of the Board have offered to continue their counsel with the Vice Presidents to further the goals outlined in our strategic plan.

We are fully committed to moving forward with our agreements and obligations, and doing so with vigor. The Board of Trustees is proud of the direction and accomplishments achieved and confident of our future. The structural changes now underway to re-invent and strengthen our mission delivery are showing early signs of success, and we look forward to a renewed, invigorated YFU.

Please join me in congratulating Sally as she assumes this important position and in welcoming her to a new involvement with YFU. Our worldwide community is stronger thanks to her leadership.

Sincerely yours,

Jack P. DeBoer, Chairman [JACK DEBOER, Wichita, Kan. Jack P. DeBoer, '52, chairperson and chief executive officer of the Candlewood Hotel Co. Inc., founded the Residence Inn and sold the 103-hotel system to the Marriott Corp. in 1985. He co-founded Summerfield Hotel Corp. in 1988 and has developed more than 16,000 apartments nationwide.

Candlewood owns, operates and licenses 100 Candlewood Suites coast to coast, including the hotel at MSU's University Park Complex. Candlewood also operates and licenses Cambridge Suites. In 1990 DeBoer paid for the complete renovation of the Theta Chi fraternity house at MSU. He has served as chairperson of Youth for Understanding, the world's leading student exchange organization and as president of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. In 2001 he received the hotel industry Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of California at Los Angeles.]

In the commercial and political relations of the Cuban regime and the U.S. there are several priorities to be concerned with.

1st. Cuba is, and has been a terrorist state for 42 years, and counts with advanced chemical, biological and cyber warfare capabilities aimed against our country. The cooperation between the Cuban regime with Iraq and Iran in the chemical and biological research is well known. A few months before the September 11 attack Castro affirmed at the University of Tehran that their cooperation would put the U.S. down to its knees. Castro once tried to nuke our cities and he has the means and the will to fulfill his dream of destroying our country. If we are involved in a worldwide war against terrorism, Cuba at 90 miles from our coasts should be a prime target in that war; so, those involved in appeasement policies towards Castro and in the promotion of the lifting of the commercial embargo against Cuba are in fact aiding and abetting our worst enemy.

2nd. Cuba has defaulted in all his international financial deals and Castro encourages other Third World nations to follow his example. Why are we going to sell to someone without the expectation to ever be pay. The American taxpayers should be aware that they are the targets of the scam by which the multinationals sell to Castro whatever he needs and we, the taxpayers, end footing the bill. Castro for 42 years has been with commercial ties with over 150 nations. Now when he has exhausted the patience of nations fool enough to have given him credit, Castro’s puppets in the media, the congress in cahoots with some greedy commercial circles are trying that the American taxpayers shoulder the heavy burden of subsidizing his regime to the tune of 9 billions dollars.

3rd. The American companies can not made legally business with Cuba without violating several American laws.

A.- Trading with the Enemy Act.

B.- U.S. Commercial Embargo Against Cuba.

C.- Helms- Burton Law.

D.- Involvement in bribes in commercial dealings with another nation.

E.- Involvement in slave labor of foreign workers in connivance with the local authorities.

We have to wonder why there are so many American politicians promoting the violations of our trading laws and in the process; they are endangering the security of the U.S. Why is the Treasure Department authorizing all those business trips and all kind of conventions in Cuban soil by which American citizens circumvent and break the U.S. laws?

Two books should be read to understand all the dirty business deals involving Fidel Castro, ADM and inept American politicians, one is: “RATS IN THE GRAIN”: The Dirty Tricks and Trials of Archer Daniels Midland The Supermarket to the World, by James B. Lieber, Four Walls Eight Windows Press, New York, New York: 2000"; the other one is: “CUBA IN REVOLUTION, ESCAPE FROM A LOST PARADISE” By Miguel A. Faria, Jr., M.D; Hacienda Publishing, Macon, GA. One will introduce you to ADM’s shady business world, the other to the parallels between how Castro took over the control discrediting all the religious and moral foundations in Cuba and what is going on in the U.S. with the exclusion of God and the Jewish-Christian moral and religious heritage from our schools, courts and public discourse.

The former Chairman of ADM, who is still the power behind the curtains, DWayne O. Andreas, financed and directed the kidnapping and the return to Cuba’s hell of Elian Gonzalez. It was the price demanded by Castro as proof of Andreas’ loyalty to the Cuban dictator. The playful always-smiling little boy while living with his relatives in Miami was transformed after his abduction by Reno’s storm troopers into a withdrawn taciturn and very sad individual. We never saw Elian’s smile again, while in custody of Castro’s henchmen in the U.S. nor after returning to Cuba.

When “asked specifically about Cuban political prisoners and the fact that half a million Cubans have passed through Fidel’s political prisons since 1959 (as substantiated by Freedom House), and the overall, shameful human rights record of the regime of Fidel Castro, Mr. Andreas replied that he ‘didn’t think bout them’ in his conversation with Fidel according to the Reader’s Digest article, “Fawning over Fidel” (May 1996), by veteran reporter Trevor Ambrister…As to the accumulating evidence of Fidel’s political executions? ‘That is for the politicians,’ replies Mr. Andreas. Obviously, for these corporations, profits come ahead of freedom. The irony is that without freedom they would also lose their profits-as well as their liberties!.” (“Cuba in Revolution. Escape From a Lost Paradise” by Miguel A. Faria, page 278)

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