One year of Helms-Burton, and more companies are carrying out
trade with Cuba, Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade Ricardo Cabrisas
told Prensa Latina. Cabrisas recalled how in 1966, Cuban trade
grew by 22 per cent in relation to the previous year and he
predicted a similar growth rate during the current year. In 1995
Cuba carried out trade with 111 countries and in 1996 this number
increased to 132 countries. The Minister pointed out that in
addition, taking into account the number of U.S. companies which
maintain their trade mark in Cuba, the periodic visits of
delegations of U.S. businesspeople and the letters of intent they
have signed with local companies, it can be seen that the
majority repudiate the Helms-Burton Law.
Nonetheless, Cabrisas pointed to the damage caused to Cuba
by Washington's policy in certain sectors which are critical,
pointing out that the Department of Commerce is learning to deal
with these problems.
Shawgi Tell
University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
