Obama Lifts Cuba Restrictions on Remmitances &Travel

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secrectary
_______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 13, 2009

April 13, 2009
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

SUBJECT: Promoting Democracy and Human Rights in Cuba

The promotion of democracy and human rights in Cuba is in the national interest of the United States and is a key component of this Nation's foreign policy in the Americas. Measures that decrease dependency of the Cuban people on the Castro regime and that promote contacts between Cuban-Americans and their relatives in Cuba are means to encourage positive change in Cuba. The United States can pursue these goals by facilitating greater contact between separated family members in the United States and Cuba and increasing the flow of remittances and information to the Cuban people.

To pursue those ends, I direct the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to take such actions as necessary to:

(a) Lift restrictions on travel-related transactions for visits to a person's family member who is a national of Cuba by authorizing such transactions by a general license that shall:

• Define family members who may be visited to be persons within three degrees of family relationship (e.g., second cousins) and to allow individuals who share a common dwelling as a family with an authorized traveler to accompany them;
• Remove limitations on the frequency of visits;
• Remove limitations on the duration of a visit;
• Authorize expenditure amounts that are the same as non-family travel; and
• Remove the 44-pound limitation on accompanied baggage.

(b) Remove restrictions on remittances to a person's family member in Cuba by:

• Authorizing remittances to individuals within three degrees of family relationship (e.g., second cousins) provided that no remittances shall be authorized to currently prohibited members of the Government of Cuba or currently prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party;
• Removing limits on frequency of remittances;
• Removing limits on the amount of remittances;
• Authorizing travelers to carry up to $3,000 in remittances; and
• Establishing general license for banks and other depository institutions to forward remittances.

(c) Authorize U.S. telecommunications network providers to enter into agreements to establish fiber-optic cable and satellite telecommunications facilities linking the United States and Cuba.

(d) License U.S. telecommunications service providers to enter into and operate under roaming service agreements with Cuba's telecommunications service providers.

(e) License U.S. satellite radio and satellite television service providers to engage in transactions necessary to provide services to customers in Cuba.

(f) License persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to activate and pay U.S. and third-country service providers for telecommunications, satellite radio, and satellite television services provided to individuals in Cuba, except certain senior Communist Party and Cuban government officials.

(g) Authorize, consistent with national security concerns, the export or reexport to Cuba of donated personal communications devices such as mobile phone systems, computers and software, and satellite receivers through a license exception.

(h) Expand the scope of humanitarian donations eligible for export through license exceptions by:

• Restoring clothing, personal hygiene items, seeds, veterinary medicines and supplies, fishing equipment and supplies, and soap-making equipment to the list of items eligible to be included in gift parcel donations;
• Restoring items normally exchanged as gifts by individuals in "usual and reasonable" quantities to the list of items eligible to be included in gift parcel donations;
• Expanding the scope of eligible gift parcel donors to include any individual;
• Expanding the scope of eligible gift parcel donees to include individuals other than Cuban Communist Party officials or Cuban government officials already prohibited from receiving gift parcels, or charitable, educational, or religious organizations not administered or controlled by the Cuban government; and
• Increasing the value limit on non-food items to $800.

  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

  BARACK OBAMA

NEW CUBA TRAVEL RULES, REMITTANCES, GIFTS, CELL PHONES

USA ANNOUNCES NEW RULES FOR CUBA TRAVEL, SENDING MONEY TO CUBA. SENDING GIFTS TO CUBA & CELL PHONE SERVICES TO CUBA.

Below we have posted all the details directly from President Obama's White House.
Here are the new Cuba rules & regulations for Cuban Americans to travel to Cuba to see this families. All restrictions have been lifted on travel & sending money, cell phones & sending Gifts.
Soon all Americans will be able to travel freely to Cuba. This is the important first step in the journey of normalization between America & Cuba.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secrectary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 13, 2009

FACT SHEET: REACHING OUT TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE

Today, the Obama administration announced a series of changes in U.S. policy to reach out to the Cuban people in support of their desire to freely determine their country’s future. In taking these steps to help bridge the gap among divided Cuban families and promote the freer flow of information and humanitarian items to the Cuban people, President Obama is working to fulfill the goals he identified both during his presidential campaign and since taking office.

All who embrace core democratic values long for a Cuba that respects basic human, political and economic rights of all its citizens. President Obama believes these measures will help make that goal a reality.

Cuban American connections to family in Cuba are not only a basic right in humanitarian terms, but also our best tool for helping to foster the beginnings of grassroots democracy on the island. There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans. Accordingly, President Obama will direct the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Commerce to support the Cuban people’s desire for freedom and self-determination by lifting all restrictions on family visits and remittances as well as taking steps that will facilitate greater contact between separated family members in the United States and Cuba and increase the flow of information and humanitarian resources directly to the Cuban people. The President is also calling on the Cuban government to reduce the charges it levies on cash remittances sent to the island so family members can be assured they are receiving the support sent to them.

Specifically, the President has directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Commerce to take the needed steps to:

• Lift all restrictions on transactions related to the travel of family members to Cuba.
• Remove restrictions on remittances to family members in Cuba.
• Authorize U.S. telecommunications network providers to enter into agreements to establish fiber-optic cable and satellite telecommunications facilities linking the United States and Cuba.
• License U.S. telecommunications service providers to enter into roaming service agreements with Cuba’s telecommunications service providers.
• License U.S. satellite radio and satellite television service providers to engage in transactions necessary to provide services to customers in Cuba.
• License persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to activate and pay U.S. and third-country service providers for telecommunications, satellite radio and satellite television services provided to individuals in Cuba.
• Authorize the donation of certain consumer telecommunication devices without a license.
• Add certain humanitarian items to the list of items eligible for export through licensing exceptions.

REACHING OUT TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE

Supporting the Cuban people’s desire to freely determine their future and that of their country is in the national interest of the United States. The Obama administration is taking steps to promote greater contact between separated family members in the United States and Cuba and increase the flow of remittances and information to the Cuban people.

Lift All Restrictions on Family Visits to Cuba

We will lift all restrictions on family visits to Cuba by authorizing such transactions by a general license, which will strengthen contacts and promote American good will. We will ensure the positive reach of this effort by:

• Defining family members who may be visited to be persons within three degrees of family relationship (e.g., second cousins) and to allow individuals who share a common dwelling as a family with an authorized traveler to accompany them;
• Removing limitations on the frequency of visits;
• Removing limitations on the duration of a visit;
• Authorizing expenditure amounts that are the same as non-family travel; and
• Removing the 44-pound limitation on accompanied baggage.

Remove Restrictions on Remittances

We will remove restrictions on remittances to a person’s family member in Cuba to increase Cubans’ access to resources to help create opportunities for them by:

• Authorizing remittances to individuals within three degrees of family relationship (e.g., second cousins) provided that no remittances shall be authorized to currently prohibited members of the Government of Cuba or currently prohibited members of the Cuban Communist Party;
• Removing limits on frequency of remittances;
• Removing limits on the amount of remittances;
• Authorizing travelers to carry up to $3,000 in remittances; and
• Establishing general license for banks and other depository institutions to forward remittances.

Authorize Greater Telecommunications Links with Cuba

We will authorize greater telecommunications links with Cuba to advance people-to-people interaction at no cost to the U.S. government. This will increase the means through which Cubans on the island can communicate with each other and with persons outside of Cuba.

• Authorize U.S. telecommunications network providers to enter into agreements to establish fiber-optic cable and satellite telecommunications facilities linking the United States and Cuba.
• License U.S. telecommunications service providers to enter into and operate under roaming service agreements with Cuba's telecommunications service providers.
• License U.S. satellite radio and satellite television service providers to engage in transactions necessary to provide services to customers in Cuba.
• License persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to activate and pay U.S. and third-country service providers for telecommunications, satellite radio and satellite television services provided to individuals in Cuba, except certain senior Communist Party and Cuban government officials.
• Authorize, consistent with national security concerns, the export or re-export to Cuba of donated personal communications devices such as mobile phone systems, computers and software, and satellite receivers through a license exception.

Revise Gift Parcel Regulations

We will expand the scope of humanitarian donations eligible for export through license exceptions by:

• Restoring clothing, personal hygiene items, seeds, veterinary medicines and supplies, fishing equipment and supplies, and soap-making equipment to the list of items eligible to be included in gift parcel donations;
• Restoring items normally exchanged as gifts by individuals in "usual and reasonable" quantities to the list of items eligible to be included in gift parcel donations;
• Expanding the scope of eligible gift parcel donors to include any individual;
• Expanding the scope of eligible gift parcel donees to include individuals other than Cuban Communist Party officials or Cuban government officials already prohibited from receiving gift parcels, or charitable, educational or religious organizations not administered or controlled by the Cuban government; and
• Increasing the value limit on non-food items to $800.

New Cuba Travel Rules

New Rules for Cuba Travel, Remittances & Communications

Today President Obama set America on the path of friendship with Cuba by lifting all restrictions on travel & sending money to Cuba for Cuban Americans. This brilliant step taken by President Obama is fulfilling his campaign promises of changing direction of American policy on Cuba & in Latin America.

Below is a detailed summary of all new rules & Regulations for Cuba Travel, Cuba Remittances, Cuba Telecommunications

Main topics are:

1. REACHING OUT TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE

2. Lift All Restrictions on Family Visits to Cuba

3. Remove Restrictions on Remittances

4. Authorize Greater Telecommunications Links with Cuba

5. Revise Gift Parcel Regulations

The Cubans in Miami will soon be reunited with their mothers, fathers, sisters & brothers in Cuba. Cuban everywhere are singing thanks to President Obama in this courageous decision.

CUBA TRAVEL VIDEO

HAVANA VIDEO

Havana,or La Habana as the Cubans call their capital of 2.5 million people, is one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Havana Cuba Feelings is a collage of old Cuban film footage, Cuban photos, statements from Cuban personalities from Cuba's world of entertainment, Latin Art and culture, as well as shots of today's modern Havana. It's a glittering portrait of a city in its golden years. Havana. An air of transience shrouds the moods of Havana city, whose lethargic rhythm of life only serves to accentuate the ravages of time. Havana's dilapidated charm has become fashionable. Its old splendor is being restored. For all those who hope to find here what may have been lost forever elsewhere - The feeling of a bygone era.


Havana Cuba, an old man who, for decades, had his finger on the pulse of the city: chronicles of the Cuban way of life and friend of the Lost Cuban bohemians. As a Cuban young man is always writing stories about this exotic mysterious city. His articles and reports now cast light upon a world consigned to the past since the triumph of Fidel Castro's revolution. In the early thirties many Cubans came from the countryside to the Cuban metropolis. Since then they have been writing about everyone and everything in the city. "You can't talk about Havana at that time without mentioning the friendly Cuban people." They saw the old Havana city as it became transformed, as it turned into a throbbing metropolis. The cityscape kept changing along with the style of the times. The discreet charm of the bourgeoisie behind facades where the most diverse styles mingled, coating the city with Cuban patina.

Know the real facts of the city of Havana, its people from the present and its past; Cuban singers, actors, composers, journalists,& sexy Cuban dancers. We also learn about Havana's turbulent history and fascinating culture and amazing architecture.

The old city of Old Havana or Havana Veja thrives on its folksy original characters. The eccentrics are now one of Cuba's top tourist attraction. They personify - and sell - Cuban flair.

One of Havana's most famous visitors was Ernest Hemingway. He always turned up with him in the right place at the right time to provide the press with little stories about nights in Havana.

Hemingway left a special memento to his local Cuban bar Floridita. With the master barkeeper, he created the world famous Daiquiri Hemingway Special, the legendary papa Hemingway double. Both the master and the drink have been immortalized in his novel Islands in the Stream. It was intended as a gathering of friends. A party for Hemingway, who won the Nobel Prize with his Cuban theme. On this day, the American author surprised those present with an unusually emotional gesture. After the meal he climbed up onto the platform and handed his Nobel Prize medal to Fernando Campoamor - who in turn donated it to the patron saint of Cuba, the Virgin de la Caridad del Cobre near Santiago de Cuba. With this gesture, as far as the Fidel was concerned, Hemingway had finally become a Cuban.
Enjoy this fabulous Havana Cuba Video.

Cuba Havana Video.
Havana Travel the streets of modern day Havana. Its like going back into a time capsule into one of the most exciting cities in the modern world. Witness how Cubans celebrate their daughter's coming-of-age while enjoying the Havana high life at a tobacco festival fashion show with catwalk model and soap opera star Yoandra Suarez.