Newsline for October 20, 2000

I'M TOM STEEVER. OUR REPORT RUNS 1:05.

HERE IS A SUGGESTED LEAD: TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA AND SEVERAL OTHER NATIONS HAVE BEEN EASED. TOM STEEVER REPORTS.

ACTUALITIES COME FROM AMERICAN FARM BUREAU TRADE SPECIALIST AUDRAE ERICKSON. AUDRAE IS SPELLED A-U-D-R-A-E.

THERE ARE TWO EXTRA ACTUALITIES FOLLOWING THE STORY. IN THE FIRST EXTRA CUT ERICKSON SAYS THE UNITED STATES COULD SUPPLY GOODS AT A GREATER COST SAVINGS THAN THEIR CURRENT SUPPLIERS. IN THE SECOND EXTRA CUT ERICKSON SAYS THE LEGISLATION ALSO IS IMPORTANT TO THE IMAGE OF THE UNITED STATES AS A TRADING PARTNER.

STAND BY, THE STORY IS COMING IN 3...2...1...

(STEEVER) FOOD AND MEDICINE SALES TO CUBA WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER FORTY YEARS OF TRADE SANCTIONS. AMERICAN FARM BUREAU TRADE SPECIALIST AUDRAE ERICKSON SAYS THIS CHANGES LICENSING REGULATIONS PUT IN PLACE LAST YEAR PROHIBITING SALES TO CASTRO'S GOVERNMENT.

(ERICKSON) THAT PROHIBITION HAS NOW BEEN LIFTED SO WE REALLY CAN SELL TO ANY ENTITY WITHIN CUBA AND NOT FACE RECRIMINATION HERE IN THE UNITED STATES SO THAT IS A BIG CHANGE.

(STEEVER) THE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION IS NOT WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. EXPORT SUBSIDIES TO CUBA ARE STILL PROHIBITED AS IS GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE FINANCING TO CUBA.

(ERICKSON) WHEREAS U-S BANKS CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THE LETTERS OF CREDIT, OUR PRODUCERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH CO-OPS OR OTHER MEANS TO ACCESS THIRD COUNTRY FINANCING, AND WE'D LIKE TO SEE THAT HURDLE REMOVED.

(STEEVER) IN ADDITION TO CUBA THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES IRAN, LIBYA, SUDAN AND NORTH KOREA.

(ERICKSON) WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT U-S FARMERS AND RANCHERS CAN COMPETE IN AN ADDITIONAL SIX BILLION DOLLAR AGRICULTURAL EXPORT MARKET.

(STEEVER) CURRENTLY CUBA IMPORTS SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN AG PRODUCTS FROM U-S COMPETITORS. I'M TOM STEEVER.

STAND BY FOR THE FIRST EXTRA ACTUALITY. THE CUT RUNS 12 SECONDS IN 3...2...1...

(ERICKSON) TODAY THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT BUYS UP TO SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION OF AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS FROM OUR COMPETITORS AND WE KNOW THAT WE CAN SUPPLY A HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCT FOR LESS COST.

(STEEVER) STAND BY THE SECOND EXTRA ACTUALITY. THE CUT RUNS 17 SECONDS IN 3..2...1...

(ERICKSON) IMPORTANTLY THE LEGISLATION SETS IN PLACE A POLICY THAT INDICATES THAT IN THE FUTURE THERE WILL NOT BE A SANCTION PUT ON U-S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS. THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO RE-ESTABLISH OUR IMAGE AS A RELIABLE SUPPLIER TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

(STEEVER) NEWSLINE IS UPDATED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 5:00 PM EASTERN TIME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.