SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 12A

LENGTH: 207 words

HEADLINE: CUBA;
U.S. embargo hurts both countries

BODY:
I was in Cuba the last week of June on a humanitarian mission, so I have been reading with greater interest all the articles about Cuba.

The rest of the world can trade with Cuba, but a neighbor 90 miles from its door can't because of the embargo. It seems ironic that U.S. farmers see a market for their surplus products, but the government ties their hands and says, "No sale."

I saw the Cuban people to be happy, resourceful people who love their country even though they would like higher wages and food rations that don't run out before the end of the month.

Cuba's literacy rate is between 95% and 100%, quite above ours. Grade school children learn to use computers but because of a lack of paper, some erase pages to reuse them when their notebook is full. Surely, the cost of shipping paper from France must be higher than it would be to ship from the United States.

Yes, Cuba has problems. We don't necessarily agree with its politics and policies. It is a beautiful country with friendly people; I know many Americans would love to visit. Both countries would gain if the stubborn powers that be would swallow their pride and get rid of the 40-year-old policy that hasn't worked.

Betty Riley

Menomonee Falls



LOAD-DATE: August 26, 2002