Congressman returns from Cuba re-convinced embargo should end

By Phyllis Jacobs Griekspoor
The Wichita Eagle

U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran returned from a three-day trade mission to Cuba on
Friday and said he's more convinced than ever that the United States'
42-year trade embargo against that country should be lifted. U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran
returned from a three-day trade mission to Cuba on Friday and said he's more
convinced than ever that the United States' 42-year trade embargo against
that country should be lifted.

Moran, a Republican from Hays, led a delegation that included U.S. Rep. Mike
Thompson of California and former Texas legislator Mark Stiles, both
Democrats. The group focused on trade issues, particularly those involving
agriculture.

Moran, who arrived in Cuba on the 40th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs
invasion, did not meet with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

"We were introduced to the man who is the equivalent of Castro's chief of
staff," he said. "And I was informed that his sending that official was a
message that he recognized our delegation and considered it important."

As to whether the Cuban government actually wants the embargo lifted, Moran
said it's difficult to know.

"In Cuba it can be very hard to know if what you're hearing is a real
opinion or just the official line," said Moran.

The official line is that Castro wants the embargo lifted.

But in fact, Moran said, the embargo gives Castro a convenient scapegoat for
economic problems.

"It is my opinion that lifting the embargo would put him off balance and
would force him to answer tough questions," Moran said.

In addition, he said, the United States' reluctance to help supply Cuba's
commodity needs provides an opportunity for other countries to step in,
notably China.

"I don't think we really want to help foster a stronger sphere of influence
for China that close to our border," he said.

Agricultural groups increasingly have been pushing to lift the embargo
against Cuba, which annually purchases $1 billion of agricultural
commodities a year. Kansas wheat farmers have been included in U.S. trade groups
visiting Cuba in recent years.

Moran said he saw some signs that a private sector economy is emerging in
the island nation -- notably in the number of street vendors and in the presence
of small restaurants in Cuban homes. And, he said, evidence of the
resurgence of tourism is everywhere.

Among the stops on Moran's visit was an elementary school, where he said he
learned that the embargo has a negative effect because it prevents teachers
from being able to buy textbooks and paper from the United States.

"I was told they would like to use U.S. textbooks but can't buy them," Moran
said. "And when they obtained a United Nations grant last year, they had to
convert it first to francs, then back to dollars because of the prohibition
of U.S. government dollars going to Cuba. The schools lost $2,000 just in
the currency exchange."

But perhaps the best argument for lifting the embargo, Moran said, is that
it simply has not worked and is not working.

"You try something once and it doesn't work, you might try it again or even
a third time," he said. "But this policy has a 42-year history of not working.
I think it's time we try something else."