Plan reverses key provisions

 BY GABRIELLA BOSTON
 States News Service

 WASHINGTON -- A bill that seeks to reverse key provisions of current legislation
 governing the U.S. export of agricultural and medical products to Cuba has been
 introduced in the Senate under bipartisan sponsorship.

 The bill, labeled the Cuba Food and Medicine Access Act of 2001 and introduced
 by Sens. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., seeks to enable
 American farmers, ranchers and pharmaceutical companies to do business more
 easily with Cuba.

 The proposal would alter U.S. law enacted by Congress last year. The bill would:

   Provide access to normal export financing in the U.S. private sector for
 American exports to Cuba. Present law bars U.S. banks from financing the sales
 authorized by last year's legislation, a spokesman for Hagel said.

   Permit American vessels carrying agricultural products or medical devices to
 export directly from a U.S. port to a Cuban port. That is not now allowed.

   Reverse travel restrictions that were incorporated in last year's legislation,
 which stripped the president of his power to expand travel to Cuba by U.S.
 citizens.

 When the United States places unilateral sanctions on other nations, American
 producers are hurt, not the sanctioned nation, Hagel wrote in an introduction to
 the bill.

 Moreover, he said, other than promoting the interests of U.S. farmers and
 pharmaceutical companies, it is the role of the United States to help improve the
 quality of people's lives, including those in Cuba.

 The move drew fierce opposition Wednesday from Rep. Lincoln Díaz-Balart,
 R-Miami.

 ``I think this is not only an affront to the United States, its also an embarrassment
 to those senators,'' Díaz-Balart said. He said President Bush has promised to
 help defeat the bill.

 ``To ask for taxpayer subsidies for that state is ultimately unfortunate and
 contrary to the U.S. national interest,'' he said.

 ``President Bush has a very clear stand on sanctions. He will not accept easing
 sanctions against the Cuban regime,'' Díaz-Balart said.