Reuters
                  Wednesday, January 6, 1999; Page A03

                  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 5—Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto
                  Robaina greeted news of an easing of the U.S. embargo on Cuba with
                  some skepticism today and said the Cuban government will take a
                  "wait-and-see" attitude about the announcement.

                  "First we must wait and see if it is true. And then evaluate what exactly is
                  the truth," Robaina said on arrival at Port-au-Prince International Airport
                  for a two-day visit to Haiti. "It is not the first time that announcements are
                  made of initiatives that don't really go to the root of the problem. The root
                  of the problem is still a blockade that is unjust."

                  President Clinton earlier had announced a relaxation of the 36-year-old
                  U.S. embargo against Cuba and proposed an expanded exchange of
                  athletes, scientists and others aimed at bringing the people of the two
                  nations closer together.

                  "We don't have much to say at this point, because this is something that
                  was just announced. . . . We prefer to listen first, then study, and finally
                  comment," Robaina said.

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