US could 'scrap' Cuba travel ban

The ban on citizens of the United States travelling to Cuba could be "scrapped", two lawmakers said Tuesday.

Writing in the Miami Herald in the US state of Florida, Republican Senator Richard Lugar and Democratic Congressman Howard Berman said it was time to "scrap this anachronistic ban".

The US currently has a commercial, economic and financial embargo on Cuba, imposed in the 60's. The ban restricts US citizens from travelling to the country, a particular problem in the state of Florida, which has a large Cuban-American population.

But Sen Berman, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Mr Lugar, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, have blamed the policy for hampering Washington's efforts to promote democratic reforms there. They wrote in the newspaper: "US law lets American citizens travel to any country on earth, friend or foe -- with one exception: Cuba.

"It's time for us to scrap this anachronistic ban, imposed during one of the chilliest periods of the Cold War.

"Legislation to abolish restrictions on travel to Cuba has been introduced in both chambers of Congress. And on Thursday the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing examining the rationale for the travel ban.

"While opponents argue that repealing the travel ban would indicate approval of the Cuban human rights record, many human rights organisations - among them Freedom House and Human Rights Watch - have called for abolishing travel restrictions.

"Finally, while travel restrictions are contrary to our foreign policy interests, they also impede the right of Americans to freedom of speech, association and to travel.

"Sometimes a travel ban may be necessary, but nothing about the Cuba situation today justifies such an infringement on our basic liberties."

Travelbite.co.uk staff

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