Laurie Cites Progress, Calls for Further Reform on Cuba Trade

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 25, 2000 -- During an agricultural fact-finding visit to Cuba last year, Michigan dairy farmer Jack Laurie saw a nation of people and an agricultural system in need of a science fiction-like teleport into the future. He also saw a nation with great potential as a market for American farm products.

Although Laurie may not hold the key to a time machine, or have a magic solution to Cuba's dilemma, he told a luncheon audience at the National Press Club today that reforming the 40-year-old U.S. embargo on Cuba is a grand place from which to start.

"Opening the door for trade relations with our neighbor is not just good business; it is morally and ethically right," said Laurie, who serves as president of the Michigan Farm Bureau and vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "Trade involves far more than moving goods and services. The flow of ideas and values also occurs. Cooperation and respect will dictate our actions, not misguided governmental decrees."

Laurie called the recent move in Congress to liberalize trade in food and medicine with Cuba a good first step, but acknowledged that further reform is needed. He noted that U.S. government export assistance to all countries should be allowed.

Because lifting unilateral sanctions is a long-held priority of American farmers, Laurie said the goal of overall sanctions reform will remain a target. Laurie urged the audience to "appreciate and celebrate the progress we have made," but admitted that changing the United States' 40-year-old isolationist policy toward Cuba won't happen overnight.

"Today, we enjoy a significant change in the tide of U.S. policy toward Cuba. In one year, that policy has undergone a sea of change," Laurie said. "The changes in our sanctions policy that we recognize today-and let us remember that the legislation just passed also affects Iran, Libya, Sudan and North Korea-put us closer to our ultimate goal of total sanctions reform."

The farm leader reminded the audience that sanctions reform is a desirable goal for farmers and ranchers in need of new markets to sell their commodities, while the continuation of sanctions on food and medicine hurts defenseless people, not their rogue leaders.

When food is used as a weapon, "the ones most hurt are the U.S. farmers and consumers in those countries targeted by U.S. sanctions...Worst of all, America gains the reputation of a bully, keeping food away from hungry kids, which is so inconsistent with our country's tradition of compassion for others," Laurie said.

Contacts:

Don Lipton 202/484-3624 donl@fb.org

Chris Noun 202/484-3612 chrisn@fb.org

This page was last modified Thu Nov 16, 2000 at 12:16 pm