Reply #1: Cuba trade? Have a cigar

[Osolomia]

Cuba trade? Have a cigar
By Jeff Gibson,
Montana Standard Opinion Page Editor
16 September 2003

It's not a done deal yet, but the groundwork done by Sen. Max Baucus and Rep. Dennis Rehberg in Cuba eventually could lead to big things for Montana.

Baucus and Rehberg just announced from Cuba that they have a "memo of understanding" that should lead to Cuba buying $10 million worth of Montana grains, live cattle and dry beans.

U.S. restrictions bar members of Congress from conducting trade missions to Cuba, and members of Congress cannot sign trade accords. Officially, Baucus and Rehberg went to Cuba on a "fact-finding" trip. But they did talk to Cuban trade officials, and cleared the way for Montana's private sector to sign agreements for the $10 million in sales.

Ten million dollars is small potatoes in global trade, concedes Rehberg assistant Brad Keena.

What Rehberg and Baucus did, Keena said, "is limited in scope now, but the dam is broken for Montana. When see that our quality matches our bragging, they'll want more."

…. For that reason, Baucus, among others, believes it's time to end the embargo.

More…
http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2003/09/16/newsopinion_top/hjjgjaidjaicea.txt