Memo
To: RLE, SLK
From: WPG
Subject: Cuba Update
Date: April 29, 2002
Back Ground
In the mid-1990's, many Latin and South American countries normalized trade and diplomatic
relations with Cuba. A review of Ehrlich votes and position papers from 1995 through 1999 shows a
shift in RLE’s foreign policy position toward Cuba. In 1999, RLE began an incremental movement
toward engagement and normalized relations from a position of complete isolation and containment.
Current Legislation and Position
RLE cosponsored The Cuban Food and Medicine Security Act of 1999, introduced by
Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY), during the 106th Session of Congress, which authorized the sale
of U.S. food and medicines to the people of Cuba.
In December 2000, Congress completed action on the FY2001 agriculture appropriations bill
[Title IX of H.R. 5426, as enacted by P.L. 106-387; the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000, or TSRA, introduced by Congressman Nethercutt (R-WA)] and codified
the lifting of unilateral sanctions on commercial sales of food, agricultural commodities, medicine, and
medical products to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Sudan, and extended this policy to apply to Cuba.
RLE supports the Nethercutt provision authorizing the sale of food and medicine supplies from
the U.S. to Cuba under strict conditions, including cash payments and one way U.S. sales to Cuba.
This provision stipulates no U.S. bank financing for Cuba and no Cuban sales to the United
States.
Since 2001, Cuban food stock losses due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch led to
a $73 million cash purchase by Cuba of U.S. farm commodities.
RLE’s Cuba policy continues to evolve, however, and on April 23, 2002, the House agreed
(273-143) and RLE supported a motion to instruct H.R. 2646, the Farm Bill, conferees to accept the
Senate farm bill provision that repeals the prohibition on the use of private U.S. financing to sell U.S.
agricultural products to Cuba (Section 335 of S. 1731). However, RLE continues to oppose
measures, such as H.R. 2138, the Bridges to the Cuban People Act of 2001, also introduced by
Congressman Serrano. This legislation is designed to provide the people of Cuba with access to food
and medicines from the United States, removes civilian travel restrictions to Cuba, and provides
social science related scholarships for Cuban nationals. This bill is currently under review by the
House Committees on International Relations, Agriculture, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and
the Judiciary. RLE does not support this bill because it lifts the ban on travel to and from Cuba.
