U.S. Farm Leaders Sign Contracts With Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

U.S. Farm Leaders Sign Contracts With Cuba

Wednesday December 17, 2003 10:16 PM


By ANITA SNOW

Associated Press Writer

HAVANA (AP) - American farm leaders called for an end to the U.S. trade embargo with communist Cuba during talks Wednesday that have resulted in nearly $85 million in new U.S. food sales to the island.

Interest by American food companies in doing more business in Cuba has grown even as the U.S. government tightens restrictions including stepped-up enforcement of rules on American travel.

``Ending the embargo is the right thing to do,'' Iowa Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge told a news conference. She said U.S. government restrictions on travel to Cuba by most Americans should also be eliminated.

``When Americans can finally come to Cuba on vacation, they might want steak, and we hope that steak is sourced from Iowa,'' Judge said. ``We see white tablecloth opportunities for our products here.''
(snip/...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3518892,00.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. Cuba strikes $55.5 million in U.S. agricultural contracts

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 9:28PM EST

Cuba strikes $55.5 million in U.S. agricultural contracts


By ANITA SNOW, ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAVANA (AP) - Fidel Castro chatted about nutrition and energy prices during a private meeting with U.S. farm officials who are in Havana for three days of talks on bringing more agricultural goods to Cuba, those at the meeting said Tuesday.
Cuba wants to sign contracts to buy American farm products worth as much as $130 million during the talks, which end Wednesday.
The discussions - and Castro's private meeting Monday with about a dozen Americans - underscore the importance Cuba has put on trade with U.S. companies two years since first exploiting an exception to the U.S. trade embargo allowing direct sales of American farm products.

By the end of Tuesday, $55.5 million in contracts had been announced, including several in prices tied directly to the Chicago Board of Trade - a first in two years of trade between communist Cuba and American agribusiness.

"This gives equal footing to Cuba as a participant in the market," said Antonio Martinez, of law firm Martinez Bass & Associates. He attended the day's sessions. (snip/...)

http://newsobserver.com/24hour/business/story/1090105p-7615223c.html

[Mika]

2. It seems as though the only upturn in the Bush economy is Cuba's cash

While all of the jobs in the US are getting shipped out of country due to NAFTA FTA etc, Cuba is one of the few countries increasing trade with the US that actually benefits US workers and American farmers.

Viva Cuba!

[lumpy]

3. Viva US agriculture !

The only backbone that remains in this once flourishing country.

[Mika]

4. Viva indeed

The heartland of the USA -America's breadbasket- seeks to end the trade and travel sanctions on Cuba and Americans, as do the majority of Americans and their representatives in D.C.


Sadly only ONE candidate for US president openly states that he would end this unjust and insane policy against Cuba AND Americans.

That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.


-Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba-
http://www.lawg.org/pages/new%20pages/Misc/prez-candidates1.htm