US Planning to Ease Travel Restrictions to Cuba

According to Congressional and administration officials speaking with the New York times, the Obama administration is making plans to expand opportunities for Americans to travel to Cuba. However, the decades-old embargo against Cuba's Communist Government will remain intact.

The officials said that the policy was meant to loosen restrictions on academic, religious and cultural groups that were adopted under President George W. Bush, and return to the "people to people" policies that were in place under President Bill Clinton. These policies fostered exchanges between the US and Cuba, and allowed groups such as universities, sports teams, and museums, to share expertise and life experiences.

In early 2009, Obama lifted restrictions on travel and remittances for Americans with relatives on the island. Policy analysts say that the last intended changes would mark a significant shift in Cuba policy.

Some Congressional aides caution that some administration officials still see the proposals as too politically volatile to announce until after the coming midterm elections, and note that revisions could still be made. Others, however, said that the policy would be announced before Congress returned from its break in mid-September.

The Obama administration, in addition to easing travel restrictions for groups, is planning to allow flights to Cuba from more cities than those three currently allowed (Miami, New York, and Los Angeles).