U.S. lawmakers in Cuba for look at agricultural trade opportuni

HAVANA (AP)--Five U.S. lawmakers made an unannounced visit to Cuba May 28, appearing at an agricultural trade fair during which the communist island hopes to sign contracts for as much as $150 million in American goods.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, is heading the delegation, which plans to meet with at least one top Cuban official before returning to the United States, said Sarah Stephens, director of the Washington-based Center for Democracy in the Americas, which opposes the U.S. embargo toward Cuba and helped organize the trip.

Also in Cuba were Democratic Reps. Marion Berry of Arkansas, and Bob Etheridge of North Carolina, as well as Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-LA, and Rep. Jack Kingston, a Republican from Georgia. All were making their first trips to the island, except Berry who was here in 2000.

DeLauro, Berry and Etheridge have all supported legislation to ease U.S. trade restrictions toward Cuba in the past, while Kingston has supported the embargo. The lawmakers said agriculture trade opportunities were a key reason they came.

"We are a diverse group geographically and in our politics toward Cuba," DeLauro said. "But we view this as an opportunity to learn, to create dialogue about issues of mutual concern."

The trip coincided with a forum bringing together 114 food and agricultural companies from 22 U.S. states.

"This is really not a trade fair, this is a formal meeting to sign agreements with different companies that have been in progress for months," said John Kay, director of international trade for Alabama's Department of Agriculture. "It's an organized madhouse. You only have a certain timeframe to get everything done."

Pedro Alvarez, chairman of Cuba's food import company Alimport, said talks should produce enough deals to ensure the island buys as much U.S. goods in 2007 as it did last year, when Cuba spent $570 million for American food and agricultural products, including shipping and banking costs.

Kirby Jones, founder of the U.S.-Cuba Trade Association in Washington, which has also pushed for an end to the embargo, said "it's important for the visiting members of Congress to hear about what's going on from those who are here doing it."

"There are very particular problems associated with doing business in Cuba because of U.S. policy," he said. "They need to know the kinds of challenges faced."

Alimport knows that bringing in companies from all over the U.S. helps Cuba drive a harder bargain.

"They want to play one company against the other to get the lowest price they can," said Key, who led a trade delegation that included a contingent of Alabama state lawmakers.

Last year, Alabama companies or companies that represent products produced or refined in the state sold more than $140 million worth of products in Cuba. Poultry represented $60 million of that, and Key said there is now a greater than 50 percent chance that any chicken consumed on the island came from his state.

Washington maintains a 45-year-old embargo, but U.S. food and agricultural products can be sold directly to Cuba under a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000. Since Havana first took advantage in 2001, it says it has spent more than $2.2 billion on American farm products and logistical costs.

Cuba says that so far this year, it has spent $225 million to purchase and import American goods. Subtracting shipping and other costs, the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, Inc. in New York puts the figure at more than $64.7 million through April.

Key said agreements for additional Alabama poultry had already been reached, but that the state will not announce Cuban sales figures until all negotiations are complete.

The fair, which ends May 30, represented the largest gathering of U.S. farm producers on the island since Fidel Castro fell ill and stepped down in a favor of a temporary government headed by his brother Raul last summer.

But Jones said American businesses have barely noticed Castro's absence.

"Nobody talks about it because in terms of business, it's been seamless," he said. "It's not even a blip that has effected things."

Large delegations include those from Georgia, Florida and Mississippi.

"The trade embargo has not only hurt the Cuban people, it has hurt the American farmer," said John Newcomb, a farmer and pharmacist with holdings in Mississippi and Arkansas.

Newcomb said he held a Mississippi catfish fry for Alvarez and other Alimport officials May 27.

"Cuba is too close not to be a great trading partner," he said. "Things have to change."

Date: 6/25/07

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