Sunday, July 06, 2008
Travel to Cuba for tourism is forbidden by the U.S. government, which
views the country as a totalitarian state and maintains an embargo
against the island nation.
But the U.S. Department of the Treasury does issue certain licenses
enabling U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba.
These include licenses for full-time and free-lance journalists;
official government travelers on official business; international
organizations on official business; and researchers and graduate and
undergraduate students participating in structured education programs.
Also granted are licenses for noncommercial Cuba-related academic
research, religious organizations, humanitarian projects and support for
the Cuban people, amateur or semiprofessional athletes or teams
traveling to Cuba to participate in athletic competition and activities
of private foundations or research or educational institutions.
The treasury department does not issue tourism licenses and has
increased enforcement at airports for those who sneak (it's no secret)
to Cuba via a third country such as Canada or Mexico. If you get caught,
you could face penalties.
Those wanting to apply for travel to Cuba may do so by writing to the
Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Treasury Annex,
Washington, D.C. 20220.
Additional information can be obtained by calling 202-622-2480 or going
to www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/.
The Cuban government also requires a visa for those who obtain a travel
license. Travelers must contact the Cuban Interest Section (a Cuban
government office), 2630 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. (Phone:
202-797-8581; fax: 202-797-8521)
http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living-1/1215160259302090.xml&coll=2
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