Global Policy Forum

Sanctions hit ordinary Cubans and not Fidel Castro Politicians in Washington have reached agreement on easing sanctions against Cuba, which will allow US food and medicine to be exported to the island for the first time in nearly 40 years.

The accord was reached after Republican leaders in the House of Representatives abandoned their long opposition to the ending of the sanctions. The deal has now been accepted by the House, which could vote on it later this week, and President Clinton has made clear he will not oppose it.

But Cuban officials have heaped scorn on the concessions, saying that in practice they will have no effect on bilateral relations.

Implications

The agreement would mean a lifting of the embargo on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba, but only under strict conditions. Exporters would be allowed to sell unlimited quantities of certain goods including wheat, rice and grain to Cuba, provided that the Cuban Government pays for them in hard currency or with loans obtained from other countries.

Republican Congressman George Nethercutt, who led the campaign to ease the sanctions with the backing of US farmers, said the deal marked a fundamental shift in foreign policy and a new day for American agriculture. "When America celebrates 4 July next week our farmers will have a new Independence Day to celebrate: independence from an outdated foreign policy that only served to punish them," he said.

His fellow Republican Dick Armey, who had opposed the agreement, said it could now be included in a military construction bill which would allow it to go to a vote later this week. The agreement would also see the easing sanctions against Iran, Libya, Sudan and North Korea.

Cuban criticism

But the head of the Cuban parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, said the measure appeared to contain discriminatory and unacceptable conditions which, he said, would almost certainly make it inoperative.

The BBC's correspondent in Havana, Tom Gibb, says that by specifically ruling out sales from Cuba to the United States, the deal will do little to help the struggling Cuban economy. And he says it is doubtful whether the Cubans will want to buy US goods under the conditions being laid down.

The US sanctions against Cuba came into force in the early 1960s, as Washington attempted to isolate President Fidel Castro. But critics say they have hit the Cuba's poor and sick - and deprived US farmers of a valuable market - without having any impact on President Castro.

Farmers and other exporters are delighted at the news, which opens up a huge new market on their doorstep.

Rice and soya are expected to be among the first exports. Sales of food and medicine have been predicted to reach an annual total of $440m within five years.

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