WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee
                   unanimously approved the first step towards ending the
                   restrictions on travel to Cuba that have existed for over 40
                   years as part of the economic blockade against the island.

                   Voting took place in the framework of legislative debates to
                   allocate a $18.5 billion USD budget to the Treasury
                   Department and other government operations for the 2003
                   financial year, which begins in October. The lawmakers’
                   intention is to at least cut funds used by the Treasury
                   Department to harass those who travel to the island without
                   a license.

                   At the close of this edition, a House of Representatives
                   decision is awaited on a similar proposal sponsored by
                   Arizona Republican Jeff Flake to eliminate controls on
                   unlicensed travel to Cuba.

                   Another initiative, presented by Jerry Moran (R-KS) is also
                   trying to end funding used to control private financing for
                   agricultural sales to the island.

                   Committee approval for the bills means they will then be
                   discussed and voted upon in the Senate and House, before
                   being considered by Bush.

                   Those supporting freedom to travel to Cuba, among them
                   Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), insist that the government
                   is violating the U.S. Constitution.

                   All these initiatives face strong opposition from the White
                   House together with various Republican legislators under
                   obligation to the Cuban-American mafia in Florida. President
                   Bush has threatened to veto the bills.

                   However, a recent study indicates that lifting the travel ban
                   would bring some $1.6 billion USD per year into the U.S.
                   economy and create 23,000 jobs. According to the report,
                   drawn up by the Brattle Group consulting agency, one of the
                   most favored sectors would be civil aviation.