Obama renews Cuba trade embargo

Obama renews Cuba trade embargo
By Michael Voss
BBC News, Havana

US President Barack Obama has extended the 47-year-old trade embargo
against Cuba for another year.

In a statement, Mr Obama said that it was in the US national interest to
extend the Trading With The Enemy Act which covers the trade embargo.

It is largely a symbolic step because the final decision rests with
Congress.

Under legislation from 1996, the Helms-Burton Act, the embargo can only
be lifted when Cuba is deemed to have begun a democratic transition.

Cuba has been under a financial, trade and travel ban since 1962 - one
of the last surviving remnants of the Cold War.

Critics see it as a missed opportunity to signal a further willingness
to ease relations between the two countries.

Mr Obama has lifted some of the restrictions allowing Cuban-Americans to
visit relatives whenever they want and send money home.

The two sides are once again holding direct talks on immigration and
later this week US officials travel to Cuba to discuss resuming direct
mail services.

The Cuban authorities have described these changes as little more than a
cosmetic coat of paint, but the US administration continues to demand
that Cuba must first show signs of reform before lifting the embargo.

BBC NEWS | Americas | Obama renews Cuba trade embargo (15 September 2009)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8256196.stm