Farmers find allies in fight against U.S.-Cuba policy

[Judi Lynn]

Farmers find allies in fight against U.S.-Cuba policy
Sunday, May 22, 2005
BY ROBERT COHEN
STAR-LEDGER WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON -- An unusual alliance of farm-state Republicans, liberal Democrats and free-trade advocates is fighting a Bush administration policy aimed at stifling the growth of farm exports to Cuba.

Ready to square off against the group is a vocal bloc of lawmakers who vehemently oppose Fidel Castro and any moves to open trade with his regime.

The issue has reignited the acrimonious debate between supporters of the 4-decade-old U.S. trade embargo, who believe it will weaken Castro and his Communist dictatorship, and opponents who see it as a failed policy and an obstacle to democratic change.

Since Congress softened the embargo in December 2000 by legalizing the export of food to Cuba, more than $800 million in rice, wheat, soybeans, chicken, yellow corn and other food products has been sold to the island nation.
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http://www.nj.com/business/ledger/index.ssf?/base/business-0/1116738142322180.xml

[mmonk]

1. Good