Press Accounts on Cuba Travel Options Incomplete and Contradictory

A leading advocate of normal relations between the US and Cuba, has noted incomplete and contradictory coverage of Obama Administration options on travel by Americans to the island.

John McAuliff, Executive Director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, a twenty-four year old non-governmental organization in Dobbs Ferry, New York, said today, "Reports in yesterday's Wall Street Journal and last Monday's Washington Post give contradictory accounts of what the Administration plans to do about travel to Cuba and how that relates to Congressional action on the issue."

"It is good news if the Journal is correct that the President will fulfill his campaign pledge of unlimited family travel and remittances. It is even better news if the Post is right that the Administration will 'further loosen remaining travel restrictions for all Americans' without regard to national origin."

McAuliff observed, "there are three levels of travel in play. All have real value in regaining a fundamental human right for Americans and opening new lines of communication between the two countries."

"First is the elementary humanitarian step of enabling Cuban Americans to have normal interaction with family members. Second is the use by the President of his authority to restore eleven other categories of non-tourist people to people travel that were also blocked by President Bush in 2004. Third is action by Congress to enable all Americans to freely visit Cuba."

"In 2003," McAuliff said, "84,500 Americans traveled to Cuba for educational, religious, humanitarian, cultural and sports purposes. President Obama should open the door to immediate renewal of diverse channels of dialog though his authority to issue general licenses."

"It is misleading and counterproductive to say that the only choice is between family travel authorized by the President and all travel authorized by Congress. Travel supporters should insist the President use his own power as well as endorse decisive Congressional action."

McAuliff also expressed concern that "The Administration may fool itself by believing that family travel is enough to provide credibility for the US at the April 17-19 Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago."