Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
February 22, 2009

Lugar Urges Reconsideration of US - Cuba Relations
--------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=22741CC:A6F02AD83191E160BB3291D8D275DB6D2A201403E89ED254&
 
Senator Richard Lugar says restrictive US policies have failed to
achieve their stated goal of promoting democracy in Cuba 
Senator Richard Lugar, a Republican Senator, is urging the United States
to reconsider its relations with Cuba. US Senator Richard Lugar, R-Ind.,
chairman of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee The Indiana
lawmaker says restrictive U.S. policies have failed to achieve their
stated goal of promoting democracy in Cuba. Lugar's views were expressed
in a letter accompanying a report set for release Monday. The report was
prepared by Republican staff members of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee who recently traveled to Cuba. The document calls for lifting
Bush administration restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba. The
report does not ask for an end to the 47-year-old U.S. trade embargo.
During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama said he would end the ban
on travel to Cuba and on the transmission of remittances. Senator Lugar
said the election of President Obama and the replacement of Fidel Castro
by his brother Raul have created an opportunity for the U.S.!
  to reevaluate a complex relationship. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton has ordered a review of U.S. policies toward Cuba.


.