Letter to Secretary of State: Hurricane Damage in Cuba Points Out Need to Lift Travel, Trade Restriction

Following is a letter from Alan Tracy, President, U.S. Wheat Associates, and Betsy Ward, President and CEO, USA Rice Federation to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging the government to immediately suspend regulatory restrictions on travel, trade and Cuban-American remittances to encourage humanitarian aid in the face of damage from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.


September 9, 2008


The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madam Secretary:

We are writing to you on behalf of the U.S. wheat and U.S. rice industries to request the immediate suspension of regulatory restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba by Cuban-Americans in response to the recent devastation from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Additionally, we are asking the U.S. to liberalize the travel licensing and banking requirements to make it easier for Cubans to purchase much needed food and agricultural products from the U.S.

U.S. wheat and U.S. rice have been among the top commodities exported to Cuba under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA). U.S. payment and travel restrictions have been the two principal impediments to normalized trade flows. This is a time to put aside political differences to focus on humanitarian need. The impact of two consecutive hurricanes has damaged homes, infrastructure, and crops across the island. Cuban lives and livelihoods have been put on hold as the nation scrambles to assess the damage, restore services, and begin rebuilding.

The U.S. has a long and positive history of helping those in need in times of duress, such as recent efforts in North Korea, Myanmar, China, Peru, and Georgia. We urge you to put aside political concerns and ease the trade and travel restrictions that are denying the Cuban people the relief and assistance so critically needed at this moment.

Sincerely,


Alan T. Tracy Betsy Ward
President, U.S. Wheat Associates President and CEO, USA Rice Federation


cc: The Honorable Henry M. Paulson, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury

The Honorable Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce